first responder

noun

: a person (such as a police officer or an EMT) who is among those responsible for going immediately to the scene of an accident or emergency to provide assistance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Efforts failed in the Legislature earlier this year to broaden first-responder workers’ compensation benefits to include 911 operators, and last year a bill didn’t pass that would have formally defined 911 operators as first responders. —Katie Delk, Sun Sentinel, 18 Nov. 2022

Over 100 police officers and other first responders from several departments responded to the university. —Phil Helsel, NBC News, 8 Apr. 2023

By that afternoon, emergency manager Walls and the other first responders had evacuated everyone who would agree to leave Hyndman. —Dan Schwartz, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2023

Nashville Tennessean Country stars Carrie Underwood and Thomas Rhett are among two dozen artists set to perform at a benefit honoring the victims, families, staff and first responders of the Covenant School shooting. —Dave Paulson, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2023

Fire departments and other first responders were still cataloging the damage there, but Helle said numerous homes had been destroyed. —CBS News, 5 Apr. 2023

Residents and first responders were hard at work Monday clearing debris in what is expected to be a long process of rebuilding in Whiteland after the Johnson County community was hit by a tornado late Friday night. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Apr. 2023

Moreover, increased access to naloxone among law enforcement and other first responders has also been found to reduce opioid overdose mortality. —Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 1 Apr. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

first responder

noun

first re·​spond·​er

-ri-ˈspän-dər

: a person (as a police officer or an EMT) who is among those responsible for going immediately to the scene of an accident or emergency to provide assistance