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.

---

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.

---

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

---

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

Example Sentences

Emergency services were alerted and firefighters, paramedics, and police officers attended.

From BBC

The paramedic said they watched for at least 35 minutes, unable to do anything.

From BBC

"The fear is everywhere and the fear is constant," said paramedic Héctor Torres, 53, from the front seat of the ambulance in Culiacán.

From BBC

The first paramedic at the scene also thought he had died after a "sudden medical event".

From BBC

Dima says he didn't want to kill anyone so, despite having no medical experience, he joined a paramedic unit.

From BBC

Related Words

• nurse