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

But the researchers did observe an increase in irregular heartbeat, lung-artery-blocking blood clots and—surprisingly—bone fractures. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026

Simpson was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, a rare heart condition that can cause irregular heartbeats and sudden cardiac death in seemingly healthy individuals, per John Hopkins Medicine. — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026

This father and son dynamic began a whole new chapter in the series and will be the heartbeat of the new show. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026

Bruno Guimaraes was Newcastle’s heartbeat and captain, Kieran Trippier set standards, Anthony Gordon led Howe’s press and chipped in with goals, and, at his best, Sandro Tonali was a midfield scanner supreme. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 19 Aug. 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