defibrillator

noun

de·​fi·​bril·​la·​tor (ˌ)dē-ˈfi-brə-ˌlā-tər How to pronounce defibrillator (audio)
: an electronic device that applies an electric shock to restore the rhythm of a fibrillating heart
defibrillate transitive verb
defibrillation noun

Examples of defibrillator 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 program is named after a TSU graduate and cardiac surgeon who pioneered advances in his field, including implanting an automatic defibrillator in a human for the first time. Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 Eriksen is revived with a defibrillator and the game controversially continues with a 1-0 Finland win. 2023 — NBA Finals: Denver Nuggets beat Miami Heat 94-89 to win the franchise’s first title; MVP: Denver C Nikola Jokić. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025 The nurse immediately began performing CPR until firefighters with FDNY Engine 59 arrived and delivered four shocks with the school’s defibrillator. Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 21 May 2025 Minutes later, multiple fire boats arrived with a defibrillator, using the device on Barr before paramedics rushed her to the nearby hospital. Sean Neumann, People.com, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for defibrillator

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defibrillator was in 1952

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Cite this Entry

“Defibrillator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defibrillator. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

defibrillator

noun
de·​fi·​bril·​la·​tor (ˈ)dē-ˈfib-rə-ˌlāt-ər How to pronounce defibrillator (audio) -ˈfīb- How to pronounce defibrillator (audio)
: an electronic device used to defibrillate a heart by applying an electric shock to it

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