palpitation

noun pal·pi·ta·tion \ ˌpal-pə-ˈtā-shən \

|Updated on: 16 Aug 2018

Definition of palpitation

: a rapid pulsation; especially : an abnormally rapid or irregular beating of the heart (such as that caused by panic, arrhythmia, or strenuous physical exercise)

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Recent Examples of palpitation from the Web

If untreated, the infection can spread and cause more serious health problems, including arthritis, heart palpitations and brain inflammation.

— sumathi reddy, WSJ, "New Effort for Lyme Disease Vaccine Draws Early Fire," 9 July 2018
Marked by sudden feelings of fear with accompanying physical symptoms such as palpitations and sweating, panic attacks are a classic sign of panic disorder, one of the various conditions under the anxiety-disorder umbrella.

— zahra barnes, SELF, "What It's Like to Live With PTSD After Escaping Domestic Violence," 19 Apr. 2018
These young whipper-snappers with their pure romances are giving me palpitations.

— lucy wood, Marie Claire, "The Engagement Ring Justin Bieber Gave Hailey Baldwin Is Extremely Large," 9 July 2018
The finance minister, Lim Guan Eng, is Chinese—another appointment that caused palpitations among Malay chauvinists.

— The Economist, "Malaysia’s ruling party may be gone, but its racial policies survive," 7 June 2018
Symptoms include heart palpitations, facial palsy and arthritis.

— n'dea yancey-bragg, USA TODAY, "Tick season: what you need to know about ticks and how to remove them," 23 May 2018
Side effects may include irritability, agitation, nausea, palpitations, tremor, and accidie.

— john e. mcintyre, baltimoresun.com, "I'm always at the desk," 12 May 2018
If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause arthritis, heart palpitations and shooting pains.

— lyndsey matthews, Country Living, "People Are Freaking Out After CDC Posts Photo of Ticks on a Poppy Seed Muffin," 10 May 2018
Lyme disease can affect a person’s nervous system if left untreated, leading to body rashes, tingling of hands and feet, and heart palpitations, according to the CDC. 2.

— elyssa cherney, chicagotribune.com, "Bug-bite diseases are on the rise nationwide: What to watch out for in Illinois," 4 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'palpitation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of palpitation

15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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palpitation Synonyms

Synonyms

beat, beating, pulsation, pulse, throb;

Related Words

fluctuation, oscillation, vibration;

quiver, tremble, tremor;

Medical Dictionary

palpitation

noun pal·pi·ta·tion \ ˌpal-pə-ˈtā-shən \

medical Definition of palpitation

: a rapid pulsation; especially : an abnormally rapid or irregular beating of the heart (as that caused by panic, arrhythmia, or strenuous physical exercise)