heartbeat

noun

heart·​beat ˈhärt-ˌbēt 

1

: one complete pulsation of the heart

2

: the vital center or driving impulse

3

: a brief space of time : flash

—used chiefly in the phrase in a heartbeat

Synonyms of heartbeat

• minute
• second
• moment

Examples of heartbeat in a Sentence

The patient had a rapid heartbeat.

I'd accept a job offer from that company in a heartbeat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Savannah also shares a bracelet that has their three children’s heartbeats on it, along with LeBron’s initials on the clasp. — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026

Mahomes, though, is the heartbeat of a team that just a year ago was left for dead on this very field. — Sam McDowell 19, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026

Poetic structure, such as cadence, meter and rhyme, invokes rhythms that tie into human heartbeats and breathing. — Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

To underscore the metaphor, Duffield recorded Brolin’s heartbeat before filming began and played it throughout Abrams’ two months inside the claustrophobic, practical whale-stomach sets. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing heartbeat

• heartbeat law
• in a heartbeat

Rhymes for heartbeat

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete

Kids Definition

heartbeat

noun

heart·​beat ˈhärt-ˌbēt 

: a single contracting and expanding of the heart

Medical Definition

heartbeat

noun

heart·​beat ˈhärt-ˌbēt 

: one complete pulsation of the heart