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

And that place is definitely close to the heartbeat of the city. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 26 June 2026

Symptoms can include fever, rash, facial paralysis, an irregular heartbeat and arthritis, according to the CDC. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026

Another study showed wildland firefighters were far more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension and irregular heartbeats. — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 24 June 2026

The brick-and-mortar storefront is being re-engineered from the ground up, turning static aisles into living, breathing media channels that can change their mood, narrative and aesthetic in a heartbeat. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 June 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