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 On Friday, Gaston County released two 911 calls that described some of the actions taken to save the life of the student, including CPR and using a defibrillator. Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2024 Beyond the surgery Pacemakers and defibrillators do require some maintenance. Virginia Singla, Discover Magazine, 15 Dec. 2023 When performed at the band’s shows, the song carries the emotional charge of a defibrillator serving its purpose. Aileen Goos, SPIN, 30 Nov. 2023 Medical personnel rushed in and tried to jump-start her heart using a defibrillator and life-saving medications, according to a state inspection document and an internal staffing report. Liz Kowalczyk and Felice J. Freyer — Boston Globe, STAT, 15 Feb. 2024 Year since Damar Hamlin:Heart Association wants defibrillators as common as extinguishers Hamlin made his debut this season in Week 10 against Denver in the Broncos' 24-22 win on Monday Night Football. Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2024 For decades, medical experts and scientists have tried to shine a light on how to save the life of a person in cardiac arrest by using a defibrillator. Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 2 Jan. 2024 There’s a defibrillator and a portable ultrasound on the I.S.S., but no CT scanner or M.R.I. machine. Kim Tingley, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023 Using defibrillators, commonly used on humans after a cardiac event, is not feasible on horses because the amount of voltage needed for a 1,000-pound-plus animal would put the person administering it at serious risk. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'defibrillator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defibrillator was in 1952

Dictionary Entries Near defibrillator

Cite this Entry

“Defibrillator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defibrillator. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on defibrillator

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!