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

Prosecutors said, however, that several medical professionals testified that the infant had a heartbeat when born. —Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026

However, at the couple's three-month appointment, they were told that their baby no longer had a heartbeat. —Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026

When Kardashian was just three months along, she and Barker were informed that their baby no longer had a heartbeat during a doctor's appointment. —Hannah Malach, InStyle, 16 June 2026

The Real Madrid midfielder is expected to be the creative heartbeat of a Turkish side many view as a dark horse. —Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 13 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