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

The exercises are designed to help Davis’ first responders improve coordination and cooperation during critical incidents. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026

At age 12, Collinson ran his first mile for Running 4 Heroes, a nonprofit that honors, through one-mile runs, first responders and K9s injured or killed in the line of duty, while also providing support through fundraising and community initiatives. — Elijah Megginson, AJC.com, 31 July 2026

The regulator has also called on AV developers to ensure their vehicles don’t interfere with first responders. — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 30 July 2026

Eventually, more first responders arrived as well as an ambulance to take the children to a local hospital, Stratton said. — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 30 July 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