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

His administration has described the agreements as historic, but the raises secured by the two groups of first responders differ considerably. — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026

In a post on X, the Virginia GOP said Richmond first responders arrived within minutes and confirmed that all party staff members were safe. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026

The Kansas City Fire Department will celebrate the life and service of a first responder who died this week after a battle with occupational cancer. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2026

The board heard two days of testimony from Weisheit, lawyers, the children’s parents and first responders who were at an Evansville home in 2010 when the bodies of 8-year-old Alyssa Lynch and 5-year-old Caleb Lynch were recovered in the fire ruins. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 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