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first responder

noun
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Definition of first responder

: 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 The 5-year-old had no marketing plan; just a goal to help a first responder in need. — Bethany Hines, CNN, "A 5-year-old boy raised more than $3,000 to help cover a wounded volunteer firefighter's medical bill," 2 July 2020 After learning of Bufford’s story, Cooper Wallweber, 5, and his older sister Olivia Boyer felt compelled to do something good for the first responder. — Fox News, "Boy, 5, raises over $3G for injured firefighter with lemonade stand," 29 June 2020 The closest hospital is 25 km (16 miles) away, making Dr. Spihlmann the first responder in a rural and isolated community of 10,000 inhabitants. — Mélanie Wenger, National Geographic, "When France locked down, this doctor became a lifeline for her rural community," 23 June 2020 Miocic has put his focus into being a first responder at Valley View Fire Department during the coronavirus pandemic while Cormier wants one more crack at the title before retiring. — cleveland, "Stipe Miocic vs Daniel Cormier 3 set for UFC 252 in August," 9 June 2020 In real life, Davidson's dad — who's name is Scott — was a N.Y.C. first responder who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. — PEOPLE.com, "Pete Davidson Impresses Critics in King of Staten Island Reviews: 'You'll Be Surprised'," 8 June 2020 The apps allow volunteers with special radio equipment to broadcast first responder communications to thousands of listeners online. — Robert Hackett, Fortune, "Police scanner apps surge as protests grip America," 1 June 2020 Money will also go to fund more first responders and homeless shelter beds. — Alex Demarban, Anchorage Daily News, "Native village corporation acquires Brown Jug liquor store chain in $21 million sale," 2 June 2020 The need to protect first responders from COVID-19. — Ian Mckenzie, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati changes curfew: What time is it, who does it apply to, what to know," 1 June 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'first responder.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of first responder

1970, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for first responder

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The first known use of first responder was in 1970

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Statistics for first responder

Last Updated

6 Jul 2020

Cite this Entry

“First responder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20responder. Accessed 10 Jul. 2020.

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More Definitions for first responder

first responder

noun
first re·​spond·​er | \ -ri-ˈspän-dər \

Kids Definition of first responder

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

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