paramedic

¹

[par-uh-med-ik]

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.

paramedic

²

[par-uh-med-ik, par-uh-med-, par-uh-med-ik]

noun

1. Military.,  a medic in the paratroops.

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

adjective

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

paramedic

/ 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

adjective

1. of or designating such a person

Word History and Origins

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

Example Sentences

Dad Matt said: "We witnessed first-hand the medical expertise of the paramedics and doctors and know that they did everything they could for Kory."

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Witnesses had tried to help the pair before paramedics arrived.

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PC Cowan and his colleague, who were both injured in the initial crash, were treated by paramedics.

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The two were taken to a hospital by paramedics.

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A 52-year-old male passenger suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported by paramedics to a hospital.

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Related Words

• nurse