defibrillator

noun

de·​fi·​bril·​la·​tor (ˌ)dē-ˈfi-brə-ˌlā-tər 

: an electronic device that applies an electric shock to restore the rhythm of a fibrillating heart

defibrillate

(ˌ)dē-ˈfi-brə-ˌlāt 

transitive verb

defibrillation

(ˌ)dē-ˌfi-brə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

Examples of defibrillator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Doctors had to use a defibrillator to keep her alive. —Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

Among other initiatives, Cluck launched a program to improve cardiac arrest survival in the city which included broader public access to defibrillators. —Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026

One day in November 2022, her defibrillator kept going off, signaling her heart wasn’t right. —Zack Meisel, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2026

Smart Heart also works to ensure that every coach and trainer is trained in CPR and in the use of external defibrillators. —Alice Park, Time, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for defibrillator

• accelerator
• accumulator
• adjudicator
• administrator
• appropriator
• articulator
• attenuator
• bronchodilator
• collaborator
• communicator
• conciliator
• cooperator

Medical Definition

defibrillator

noun

de·​fi·​bril·​la·​tor (ˈ)dē-ˈfib-rə-ˌlāt-ər  -ˈfīb- 

: an electronic device used to defibrillate a heart by applying an electric shock to it