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

At its best, the music’s blackout-drunk thump-thump functions more like an anxious heartbeat. —Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026

Volunteers keep showing up Inside the warehouse in Dallas, the heartbeat of the operation is a group of retirees who show up every Wednesday. —Abraham Nudelstejer, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026

Ponza’s boating culture is its heartbeat. —Kristina Kasparian, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026

Consuming more than 350 milligrams of supplemental magnesium can lead to magnesium toxicity, which can cause symptoms including low blood pressure, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing and cardiac arrest. —Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 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