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

Looking on was Trooper Major, body camera footage shows, frowning in the sun as the deputies followed guidance from a portable defibrillator device. — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026

The gym’s defibrillator had blasted into action, and now the man was recovering from a triple bypass. — Helen Simpson, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

The Pointers had purchased a defibrillator for Liam’s track team, just in case, and the team happened to be at the event that day. — Matt Moret, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026

Amanda will need a defibrillator and heart medication for the rest of her life, according to AZ Family. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 25 July 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