How to Pronounce Defibrillator
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Defibrillator Pronunciation
dee-FIB-rih-lay-tor
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
dee
FIB
stress here
rih
lay
tor
5 syllables
What is Defibrillator?
An arrhythmia is any disorder of your heart rate or rhythm. It means that your heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or with an irregular pattern. Most arrhythmias ...
Definition sourced from MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
Questions About Defibrillator
How do you pronounce 'defibrillator'?
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Say it like this: dee-FIB-rih-lay-tor. Start with 'dee' (like the letter D), then emphasize 'FIB' by saying it a bit louder and longer, then finish with 'rih-lay-tor.' The stress falls on the second syllable, which is why you'll hear people say it with extra force on the 'FIB' part.
What are the syllables in 'defibrillator'?
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The word breaks into five syllables: de-FIB-ril-la-tor. If you say each part separately and then speed them together, you'll get the full word. The third and fourth syllables (ril-la) are quick and flow together smoothly.
Which syllable do you stress when saying 'defibrillator'?
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The second syllable—'FIB'—gets the stress. A common mistake is stressing the first syllable and saying 'DE-fib-rillator,' which sounds wrong. Remember: dee-**FIB**-rih-lay-tor.
What does 'defibrillator' mean in simple terms?
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A defibrillator is a machine that sends an electric shock to help a heart beat normally. You might hear it called by its short name, AED (automated external defibrillator), when it's the portable kind that emergency responders use.
Where does the word 'defibrillator' come from?
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'Defibrillator' comes from the prefix 'de-' (meaning to remove or reverse) plus 'fibrillator' (from the word 'fibrillation,' which describes chaotic heart rhythms). So the word literally means 'a device that stops fibrillation.'
What is the short form of 'defibrillator,' and how do you say it?
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The most common short form is AED, which stands for automated external defibrillator. You say it letter by letter: 'A-E-D.' In hospitals, doctors might also just call it a 'defib' (DEE-fib) for short.
Are there related words that use the same root as 'defibrillator'?
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Yes! The word 'fibrillation' (fib-rih-LAY-shun) describes the chaotic heart rhythm itself, and 'defibrillate' (dee-FIB-rih-layt) is the verb meaning to use the device. All three words share the root about stopping irregular heartbeats.
Can you use 'defibrillator' in a sentence?
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Sure! Here are two examples: 'The ambulance crew brought a portable defibrillator to the scene.' Or: 'A defibrillator is a device designed to restore a normal heart rhythm.' These sentences show how the word is used in everyday medical conversation.