paramedic

¹ American  

[par-uh-med-ik] / ˌpær əˈmɛd ɪk /

noun

1. a person who is trained to assist a physician or to give first aid or other healthcare in the absence of a physician, often as part of a police, rescue, or firefighting squad.

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paramedic ² American  

[par-uh-med-ik, par-uh-med-, par-uh-med-ik] / ˌpær əˈmɛd ɪk, ˈpær əˌmɛd-, ˌpær əˈmɛd ɪk /

noun

1. Military. a medic in the paratroops.

2. a doctor who parachutes into remote areas to give medical care.

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adjective

1. of or relating to a paramedic or to paramedics.

paramedic British  

/ ˌpærəˈmedɪk /

noun

1. a person, such as a laboratory technician, who supplements the work of the medical profession

2. a member of an ambulance crew trained in a number of life-saving skills, including infusion and cardiac care

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adjective

1. of or designating such a person

Etymology

Origin of paramedic¹

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55; para- ¹ + medic ¹

Origin of paramedic¹

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55; para- ³ + medic ¹

Example Sentences

Fire paramedics can be seen taking Rees’ nephew in a gurney.

From Los Angeles Times

Police and paramedics met the train at Larbert railway station where the victims were taken to hospital and Craig was arrested.

From BBC

Joan says James, 28, was a loving son who dreamt of becoming an ambulance paramedic and enjoyed adventure sports such as wakeboarding.

From BBC

The university said Joan is integral to the success of its Being Dementia Smart module, the first in the UK to include dementia design for undergraduate nurses and paramedics.

From BBC

Later that evening Dale was "in shock" and worried about whether he had done the right thing when the paramedic rang him "to say Jonathan was OK".

From BBC

Related Words

• nurse