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

Blood transfusions, antibiotics, cardiac pacemakers, organ transplantation, insulin for diabetes, and inhalers for asthma all resulted from animal research. —Melanie D.g. Kaplan, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025

Doctors implanted a pacemaker with a defibrillator to address an irregular heart rhythm, and Fetterman returned to the campaign trail after several weeks of recovery. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025

So your pacemaker isn’t part of your tomato garden. —Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2025

It could be used in the creation of next-generation bioelectronic devices or internal medical tools, like pacemakers, implantable glucose sensors, and brain electrodes used for treating neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025

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