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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The new dosimeter patch is a flexible, wearable and disposable way to protect cancer patients, health providers, first responders and warfighters from toxic radiation exposure. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026 The responding officer heard screaming on the dispatch call and first responders arrived at the home where the teenage victim — whose name was not revealed — was pronounced dead, according to an incident report shared with The Times. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026 That includes the dedicated teams at the National Weather Service, the Texas Forest Service, the Texas State Climatologist’s Office, digital and broadcast meteorologists across the state, as well as first responders, emergency managers, storm chasers, and local weather spotters. Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026 The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, along with first responders from surrounding communities, raced to the scene to investigate. Morgan Rynor, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for first responder

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of first responder was in 1970

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“First responder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20responder. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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