defibrillator

[ dee-fahy-bruh-ley-ter, -fib-ruh- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Medicine/Medical.

an agent or device for arresting fibrillation of the atrial or ventricular muscles of the heart.

defibrillator

/ dɪˈfaɪbrɪˌleɪtə; -ˈfɪb- /

noun

med an apparatus for stopping fibrillation of the heart by application of an electric current to the chest wall or directly to the heart

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Word History and Origins

Origin of defibrillator¹

First recorded in 1955–60; de- + fibrill(ation) + -ator

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Example Sentences

This analysis suggests that even without medical personnel on the race crew, having a defibrillator is sufficient to dramatically lower the risk of death.

From Outside Online

For the first time in a long time, the city was this year able to buy new defibrillators for the volunteer rescue squad, at $175,000 a pop.

From Time

It supported exit-row lighting and the presence of health and safety resources onboard, such as defibrillators.

From Washington Post

EMTs shocked my heart with a defibrillator four times between that memory and when I woke up in the operating room.

From Washington Post

When an ambulance arrived, the crew used a defibrillator to shock the patient’s heart, and then delivered an injection of lidocaine.

From Washington Post

“News is the ultimate defibrillator for an organization,” says ABC News President Ben Sherwood.

From The Daily Beast

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