fibrillation

noun

fi·​bril·​la·​tion ˌfi-brə-ˈlā-shən 

ˌfī-

1

: an act or process of forming fibers or fibrils

2

a

: a muscular twitching involving individual muscle fibers acting without coordination

b

: very rapid irregular contractions of the muscle fibers of the heart resulting in a lack of synchronism between heartbeat and pulse

Examples of fibrillation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Among people without a history of heart disease, those who regularly took fish oil supplements had a 13% higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation and a 5% greater risk of stroke compared to those who didn't take the supplements. —Alice Park, TIME, 21 May 2024

Drinking artificially sweetened beverages, like Diet Coke or Crystal Light, might increase atrial fibrillation (AFib) risk, according to a new observational study. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

fibrillation

noun

fi·​bril·​la·​tion ˌfib-rə-ˈlā-shən  ˌfīb- 

1

: an act or process of forming fibers or fibrils

2

a

: a muscular twitching involving individual muscle fibers acting without coordination

b

: very rapid irregular contractions of the muscle fibers of the heart resulting in a lack of synchronism between heartbeat and pulse see atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation