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

Examples of first responder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Videos shared online showed guests and employees rushing to help those trapped beneath the fallen structure, with several people lifting sections of the metal frame before first responders arrived. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026

Officials are asking Georgians to keep Seymour's family and the first responders in their thoughts and prayers while the search is ongoing. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 22 June 2026

Footage on social media captured victims falling through flaming windows as first responders attempted to reach them. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026

Despite a rapid response and aerial support, all three hikers were dead by the time first responders reached them, the park service said. — ABC News, 20 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for first responder

• condor
• fonder
• launder
• mandir
• maunder
• ponder
• squander
• wander
• yonder
• transponder

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