pacemaker

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noun pace·mak·er \ ˈpās-ˌmā-kər \

Definition of pacemaker

1 a :one that sets the pace for another

b :one that takes the lead or sets an example

2 a :a group of cells or a body part (such as the sinus node of the heart) that serves to establish and maintain a rhythmic activity

b :an electrical device for stimulating or steadying the heartbeat or reestablishing the rhythm of an arrested heart

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pacemaking

play \ˈpās-ˌmā-kiŋ\ noun

See pacemaker defined for English-language learners

See pacemaker defined for kids

Examples of pacemaker in a Sentence

has long been regarded as a pacemaker in home electronics

Recent Examples of pacemaker from the Web

Kansas City police are seeking the public’s help in locating a 78-year-old man with dementia and a pacemaker who has been missing since 4 p.m. Saturday.

— matt campbell, kansascity, "Man with dementia missing from 27th and Benton in Kansas City," 13 Aug. 2017
Kristen Shamus His career in medicine began when doctors still made house calls, before the advent of the measles vaccine and the pacemaker, and when polio epidemics maimed and killed by the thousands.

— kristen jordan shamus, Detroit Free Press, "Prescription for life: Dr. John Dorsey, 90, looks back on 60 years in medicine," 31 July 2017
The Cordis employees, who sold pacemakers, kept inventory at home, as well as related literature.

— joe mullin, Ars Technica, "Will East Texas be able to keep patent cases despite the Supreme Court?," 20 July 2017
Max, who wears a pacemaker and has an artificial pulmonary heart valve, tells PEOPLE.

— rose minutaglio, PEOPLE.com, "‘Darth Vader’ Boy Who Had 12 Heart Surgeries to Meet with Congressional Leaders: ‘I Can Be the Face for Healthcare’," 10 July 2017
Crist said that was in part because the majority of their patients - people who need pacemakers, stents or knee implants - are elderly and covered by a different government program, Medicare.

— carolyn y. johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Why some major health groups are unusually quiet about the Senate bill," 28 June 2017
What happens if someone hacks your WiFi connected pacemaker?

— alex harris, miamiherald, "Want to make your smart phone talk to your toaster? New FIU degree may be for you," 23 June 2017
Most concerns about M.R.I.s involve people with metal, such as shrapnel, embedded in their bodies, or someone with an implanted medical device, like a cochlear implant or an older pacemaker.

— karen weintraub, New York Times, "Do M.R.I. Scans Cause Any Harm?," 23 June 2017
Bearden discovered in 2012 that a recall had been issued on her pacemaker.

— amy yurkanin, AL.com, "When the doctor makes a mistake, it's hard to find a lawyer in Alabama," 17 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pacemaker.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of pacemaker

1884

pacemaker Synonyms

Synonyms

leader, bellwether, pacer, pacesetter, trendsetter

Antonyms

follower, imitator

Related Words

foregoer, forerunner, harbinger, herald, precursor; groundbreaker, innovator, pioneer

Near Antonyms

Johnny-come-lately, me-tooer

PACEMAKER Defined for English Language Learners

pacemaker

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noun

Definition of pacemaker for English Language Learners

medical : a small electrical machine put inside a person to make the heart beat evenly

Medical Dictionary

pacemaker

play

noun pace·mak·er \ ˈpā-ˌsmā-kər \

medical Definition of pacemaker

1 :a group of cells or a body part (as the sinoatrial node of the heart) that serves to establish and maintain a rhythmic activity

2 :an electrical device for stimulating or steadying the heartbeat or reestablishing the rhythm of an arrested heart — called also pacer

Learn More about pacemaker

See words that rhyme with pacemaker Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pacemaker Spanish Central: Translation of pacemaker Nglish: Translation of pacemaker for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pacemaker

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pacemaker

Definition of pacemaker

pacemaking

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Examples of pacemaker in a Sentence

Recent Examples of pacemaker from the Web

First Known Use of pacemaker

pacemaker Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

PACEMAKER Defined for English Language Learners

pacemaker

Definition of pacemaker for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

pacemaker

medical Definition of pacemaker

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