paramedic
1 Americannoun
noun
-
Military. a medic in the paratroops.
-
a doctor who parachutes into remote areas to give medical care.
adjective
noun
-
a person, such as a laboratory technician, who supplements the work of the medical profession
-
a member of an ambulance crew trained in a number of life-saving skills, including infusion and cardiac care
adjective
Etymology
Origin of paramedic1
An Americanism dating back to 1950–55; para- 1 + medic 1
Origin of paramedic2
Explanation
A paramedic is someone trained to assist medical professionals. The workers in an ambulance are paramedics. Just as a paralegal works with the law but isn't a lawyer, a paramedic is involved with medicine while not quite being a nurse or doctor. Rather, paramedics help doctors and nurses: paramedics are assistants. Paramedics are most well-known for working in ambulances. If you have a medical emergency — such as choking or a heart attack — paramedics will be there to help if you call 911. Paramedics save many lives every day.
Vocabulary lists containing paramedic
Red Kayak
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Harbor Me" by Jacqueline Woodson
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Forged by Fire
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Andres Hurtado, a paramedic who was standing close to the scene when the crash occurred, said he treated three people who were badly injured, including a girl.
From Barron's • May 4, 2026
She said there was evidence from one paramedic that they had to climb over the barriers "because nobody could show them on to the ice".
From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026
But a week ago, a trainee paramedic spoke to the BBC about how she is now looking for work abroad because of a recruitment freeze in Wales.
From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026
Devin Fox, a 26-year-old Ella fella, has posted several videos about Langley’s music from the fire station where he works as a firefighter and paramedic.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026
The paramedic and a police officer looked into the back of the ambulance.
From "Forged by Fire" by Sharon M. Draper
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
