pacemaker

[ peys-mey-ker ]

noun

1. pacesetter.
2. Medicine/Medical. an electronic device implanted beneath the skin for providing a normal heartbeat by electrical stimulation of the heart muscle, used in certain heart conditions.
3. Anatomy, Physiology. any specialized tissue that governs a rhythmic or cyclic biological activity, as the sinoatrial node of the heart that controls heartbeat.

pacemaker

/ ˈpeɪsˌmeɪkə /

noun

1. a person, horse, vehicle, etc, used in a race or speed trial to set the pace
2. a person, an organization, etc, regarded as being the leader in a particular field of activity
3. Also calledcardiac pacemaker a small area of specialized tissue within the wall of the right atrium of the heart whose spontaneous electrical activity initiates and controls the beat of the heart
4. Also calledartificial pacemaker an electronic device for use in certain cases of heart disease to assume the functions of the natural cardiac pacemaker

pacemaker

/ pās′mā′kər /

1. Any of several usually miniaturized and surgically implanted electronic devices used to stimulate or regulate contractions of the heart muscle. Electrodes attached to the heart muscle conduct electrical signals generated from the pacemaker, which either provides constant electrical stimuli to regularize the heartbeat (fixed-rate pacemakers) or provides a stimulus only when electrical activity within the heart is abnormal (demand pacemakers). Pacemakers are used in the treatment of various arrhythmias.
2. A part of the body, such as the specialized mass of cardiac muscle fibers of the sinoatrial node, that sets the pace or rhythm of physiological activity.

pacemaker

1. A group of specialized muscle fibers in the heart that send out impulses to regulate the heartbeat. If the heart's built-in pacemaker does not function properly, an artificial pacemaker may be necessary — a small electrical device that also regulates the heartbeat by sending out impulses. An artificial pacemaker may be placed inside the body surgically or may be worn outside.

Other Words From

• pacemaking noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pacemaker¹

First recorded in 1880–85; pace ¹ + maker

Example Sentences

Claire happens to have a heart condition, as well as an attendant pacemaker, which will figure prominently and conveniently in the plot.

From Time

He has other conditions that his Type 2 diabetes could exacerbate, including high blood pressure and supraventricular tachycardia, for which he needs a pacemaker.

From Time

Related to privacy is security — hackers can access data that’s locked away, or interfere with pacemakers and autonomous vehicles.

From Science News

Medical devices, such as orthopedic implants, dental fillings, and pacemakers, could also contribute.

From Popular-Science

Also, if you’re wearing a pacemaker, you’ll also want a smart scale that can turn it off.

From Popular-Science

In DBS, a neurosurgeon implants electrodes in the brain that attach to a “pacemaker” for the brain.

From The Daily Beast

The inevitable result is that the shovels move with rhythmic precision, and the slowest man becomes the pacemaker for the rest.

From Project Gutenberg

Behind a rapidly spinning limousine pedalled a grotesquely humped bicyclist, using the car as a pacemaker.

From Project Gutenberg

Miami, which had clung tenaciously to second place, also under restraint, was now sent after the flying pacemaker with a will.

From Project Gutenberg

I'm not built for rapid work, but I guess I'll do with you for pacemaker.

From Project Gutenberg

Then one will come to grips with life, the pacemaker of style.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• favorite
• shoo-in