defibrillate
Americanverb (used with object)
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of defibrillate
1930–35; de- + fibrillate, back formation from fibrillation
Explanation
To defibrillate is to use a specialized machine that zaps electricity into a person's erratically-beating heart. Doctors and EMTs sometimes have to defibrillate patients having heart attacks. The verb defibrillate comes from defibrillation and its roots, de-, "undo-, and fibrillation, "beating in an abnormal way." So when a patient's heartbeat is dangerously abnormal, doctors will sometimes defibrillate it to shock it back into a normal rhythm. The tool they use to perform this procedure is a defibrillator.
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.
See Examples For:
In 2022, as part of the lead-up to “Top Gun: Maverick,” the blockbuster that would defibrillate the pandemic box office, Cruise received an honorary Palme d’Or and a salute from eight zipping French jets.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2025
The now white material was subjected to ultrasonic treatment to defibrillate the pulp at a mycelial level.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 8, 2024
"The faster you can get to somebody and have effective CPR and then defibrillate them with an AED the better the outcomes are going to be."
From Salon ● Jan. 4, 2023
They come running out, they've got the defibrillator, and a portable cardiac thing, they cut open his shirt, they defibrillate him, it's like clockwork.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 14, 2012
Zeman can thank Hong Kong's ambitious efforts to defibrillate an economy that had all but seized during the recent outbreak.
From Time Magazine Archive
The coroner gave a narrative conclusion, saying David probably would not have died had an ambulance arrived on time and if he had been defibrillated.
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026
His teammates, fans at the stadium and millions at home watching the national broadcast were left stunned as Hamlin was administered CPR, defibrillated and transported by ambulance to a hospital.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 1, 2023
They defibrillated her with electric shocks, injected epinephrine and succeeded in reviving her.
From New York Times ● Apr. 10, 2017
Being defibrillated is like swallowing an angry, stubborn mule.
From Salon ● Jun. 29, 2012
February is an unalloyed joy for me: the pink satin, cheap chocolates in specially defibrillated cardiac boxes and armfuls of roses to die slowly on top of my telly while their water turns septic.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 20, 2011
As Tuipulotu threw down quarterback Jack Plummer for his second sack, USC seemed well on its way to defibrillating its lifeless defense.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2022
Eventually, my ER doctor, who looked like the Eastern European love child of Danny DeVito and Newman from “Seinfeld,” ordered a cardioversion, which involves defibrillating the heart back to a normal rhythm.
From Salon ● Jun. 29, 2012
Dismayed by this lingering antipathy, I retreated to the local diner for a psychologically defibrillating chocolate milkshake.
From New York Times ● Aug. 27, 2010
Nixon's plane, The Spirit of '76, carries a miniclinic, including a defibrillating machine for use in case of a heart attack, blood plasma and a tracheotomy set.
From Time Magazine Archive
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