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
Examples of defibrillator in a Sentence
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The device includes both pacemaker and defibrillator functions: The pacemaker sends electrical impulses to Black’s heart if his heart rate drops too low, while the defibrillator delivers more powerful shocks if his heart rate becomes too high.
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Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2025
The institution has made cold-water immersion tubs available at practices and games, installed readily-accessible automatic defibrillators at all venues, added more recovery breaks and provided enhanced instruction for its athletic trainers.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 29 July 2025
For weeks leading up to the execution, Black’s attorneys fought to have his implantable cardioverter defibrillator — a medical device meant to shock the heart when its rhythm becomes irregular — deactivated, per The Washington Post.
—Christina Coulter, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Staff tried using a defibrillator on the patient, but the machine malfunctioned, and a second defibrillator monitor had to be brought in; however, the patient ultimately died, the report said.
—Scott Schwebke, Oc Register, 12 July 2025
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Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2025
The institution has made cold-water immersion tubs available at practices and games, installed readily-accessible automatic defibrillators at all venues, added more recovery breaks and provided enhanced instruction for its athletic trainers.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 29 July 2025
For weeks leading up to the execution, Black’s attorneys fought to have his implantable cardioverter defibrillator — a medical device meant to shock the heart when its rhythm becomes irregular — deactivated, per The Washington Post.
—Christina Coulter, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Staff tried using a defibrillator on the patient, but the machine malfunctioned, and a second defibrillator monitor had to be brought in; however, the patient ultimately died, the report said.
—Scott Schwebke, Oc Register, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defibrillator
Cite this Entry
“Defibrillator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defibrillator. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
defibrillator
noun
de·fi·bril·la·tor
(ˈ)dē-ˈfib-rə-ˌlāt-ər
-ˈfīb-
-ˈfīb-
: an electronic device used to defibrillate a heart by applying an electric shock to it
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