heartbeat

[ hahrt-beet ]

noun

, Physiology.

1. a pulsation of the heart, including one complete systole and diastole.

heartbeat

/ ˈhɑːtˌbiːt /

noun

1. one complete pulsation of the heart See diastole systole

Word History and Origins

Origin of heartbeat¹

First recorded in 1840–50; heart + beat

Example Sentences

I stood behind the curtain, my palms suddenly sweating, my heartbeat galloping in my ears.

From Salon

Texas’s abortion ban threatens prison time for interventions that end a fetal heartbeat, whether the pregnancy is wanted or not.

From Salon

But in fellow Brit Steve McQueen’s muscular, sincere “Blitz,” his latest reckoning with the heartbeat of historical incident, life under the threat of annihilation pulsates a little more strongly than that beloved phrase would suggest.

From Los Angeles Times

Brown listens to Sarah McCutcheon’s heartbeat in the exam room at his medical office.

From Salon

And Gov. Greg Abbott, who said early last year that “we promised we would protect the life of every child with a heartbeat, and we did,” has not made similar statements since.

From Salon

Related Words

• pulse