pacemaker

noun

pace·​mak·​er ˈpās-ˌmā-kər 

1

a

: one that sets the pace for another

b

: one that takes the lead or sets an example

2

a

: a group of cells or a body part (such as the sinus node of the heart) that serves to establish and maintain a rhythmic activity

b

: an electrical device for stimulating or steadying the heartbeat or reestablishing the rhythm of an arrested heart

pacemaking

ˈpās-ˌmā-kiŋ 

noun

Synonyms of pacemaker

• leader
• pacer
• pioneer

Examples of pacemaker in a Sentence

has long been regarded as a pacemaker in home electronics

Recent Examples on the Web

The federal government even provided a high-tech piece of equipment that attempted to pick up the Bluetooth signal from her pacemaker device, with no results. —Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026

The electrodes are connected by wires running down the neck to a pacemaker-like battery in the chest that powers the device. —Angela Haupt, Time, 7 May 2026

Calcium does this by flowing in and out of your heart cells after being triggered by an electrical signal from the sinoatrial node, or the heart's natural pacemaker. —Sara Hoffman, Verywell Health, 6 May 2026

However, that effort was not officially recognized due to rule violations, including rotating pacemakers and external assistance. —New Atlas, 5 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for pacemaker

• automaker
• boilermaker
• cabinetmaker
• coffeemaker
• troublemaker
• undertaker
• blackacre
• caretaker
• clockmaker
• dressmaker
• filmmaker
• homemaker

Kids Definition

pacemaker

noun

pace·​mak·​er ˈpā-ˌsmā-kər 

1

: a group of cells or a bodily part (as of the heart) that serves to establish and maintain a rhythmic bodily activity

2

: an electrical device for steadying or establishing the heartbeat

Medical Definition

pacemaker

noun

pace·​mak·​er ˈpā-ˌsmā-kər 

1

: a group of cells or a body part (as the sinoatrial node of the heart) that serves to establish and maintain a rhythmic activity

2

: an electrical device for stimulating or steadying the heartbeat or reestablishing the rhythm of an arrested heart

called also pacer