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.

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

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

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.

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.