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 paramedic²

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

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.

Example Sentences

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

A 36-year-old woman from Oxfordshire said she qualified as a paramedic last June but has still not found work.

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 RCP said it was supporting affected graduates, pointing to other options, including overseas employment opportunities and the Paramedic Foundation Preceptorship programme, which can begin while individuals continue to seek substantive paramedic roles.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

The paramedic stared at the door with a face gone pale.

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer

Related Words

• nurse