palpitate

1 of 2

verb

pal·​pi·​tate ˈpal-pə-ˌtāt 

palpitated; palpitating

intransitive verb

: to beat rapidly and strongly : throb

My heart began to palpitate when I was announced as the winner.

palpitation

2 of 2

noun

pal·​pi·​ta·​tion ˌpal-pə-ˈtā-shən 

: a rapid pulsation

especially : an abnormally rapid or irregular beating of the heart (such as that caused by panic, arrhythmia, or strenuous physical exercise)

Synonyms of palpitate

Verb

• throb
• beat
• vibrate
• pulse

Noun

• pulse
• throb

Examples of palpitate in a Sentence

Verb

My heart began to palpitate when I was announced as the winner.

the man's heart began to palpitate, and he feared another attack was coming on

Noun

a palpitation of the blood vessels

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But two sweaty and heart-palpitating afternoons at Foley Field spoke a truth about Georgia, bound for the College World Series for the first time since 2008. —Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 8 June 2026

The Broad palpitated with energy. —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025

Noun

No doubt the sofa gymnastics gave plenty of soccer fans in the US heart palpitations. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 June 2026

Your Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Increase Energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine, which can lead to issues with heart function and the cardiovascular system, including heart palpitations and arrhythmias. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 1 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin palpitatus, past participle of palpitare, frequentative of palpare to stroke

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1623, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

palpitate

verb

pal·​pi·​tate ˈpal-pə-ˌtāt 

palpitated; palpitating

: to beat rapidly and strongly : throb, quiver

Medical Definition

palpitate

intransitive verb

pal·​pi·​tate ˈpal-pə-ˌtāt 

palpitated; palpitating

: to beat rapidly, irregularly, or forcibly

—used especially of the heart