defibrillate

[ dee-fahy-bruh-leyt, -fib-ruh- ]
/ diˈfaɪ brəˌleɪt, -ˈfɪb rə- /

verb (used with object), de·fi·bril·lat·ed, de·fi·bril·lat·ing. Medicine/Medical.

to arrest the fibrillation of (heart muscle) by applying electric shock across the chest, thus depolarizing the heart cells and allowing normal rhythm to return.

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Origin of defibrillate

1930–35; de- + fibrillate, back formation from fibrillation

OTHER WORDS FROM defibrillate

de·fi·bril·la·tion, noun

Words nearby defibrillate

defiant, defiber, defibered, defiberize, defibrate, defibrillate, defibrillation, defibrillator, defibrinate, defibrination, deficience
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for defibrillation

defibrillation
/ (dɪˌfaɪbrɪˈleɪʃən, -fɪb-) /

noun

med the application of an electric current to the heart to restore normal rhythmic contractions after the onset of atrial or ventricular fibrillation
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for defibrillation

defibrillation
[ dē-fĭb′rə-lā′shən, -fī′brə- ]

n.

The stopping of fibrillation of the heart muscle and the restoration of normal contractions using drugs or electric shock.

Other words from defibrillation

de•fib′ril•late′ v.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for defibrillation

defibrillation
[ dē-fĭb′rə-lā′shən ]

Termination of fibrillation of the heart muscle and restoration of normal heart rhythm, especially by one or more electric shocks administered by paddles applied to the chest.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.