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

During his recovery, he was diagnosed with the heart condition myocarditis and fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. —The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2026

Nikki Glaser Glaser’s expert emcee work during the most recent two Golden Globes telecasts was like a pair of defibrillator paddles that hilariously resurrected a show most of us were fine to let die on the table. —Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026

Because sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical issue, a defibrillator is necessary to stop and restart the heart with a strong electric shock. —Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026

The event hall's defibrillator was used. —Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 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