palpitation

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

Updated on: 13 Apr 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

That set off palpitations among Washington’s China-watchers.

— The Economist, "Taiwan is again becoming a flashpoint between China and America," 5 Apr. 2018
According to the National Institutes of Health, large amounts of caffeine can lead to heart palpitations, anxiety, sleep and digestive problems, and other more serious issues like heart and blood vessel problems.

— brittney mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "Some Starbucks Could Label Coffee With a Cancer Warning," 30 Mar. 2018
The device itself, as a physical unit, suggests and enforces a certain humility: all those knobs and straps and hooks, meant to reduce a person to the effluvia of conscience—the sweat, the heat, the palpitations of the heart.

— megan garber, The Atlantic, "The Lie Detector in the Age of Alternative Facts," 29 Mar. 2018
O’Connell believes this is the sweet spot where a person with diabetes can exercise without fear of lightheadedness and heart palpitations, shakiness and loss of consciousness — some of the consequences of hypoglecemia.

— rebecca lurye, courant.com, "Welcome To The GlucoseZone: New Haven-Based App Offers Digital Workouts For Diabetics," 22 Mar. 2018
Untreated Lyme disease can lead to arthritis, shooting pains, and heart palpitations.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "WATCH OUT: Ticks Are Already a Big Problem and It's Not Even Spring," 9 Mar. 2018
Anxiety is another potential cause of palpitations.

— emily sohn, Washington Post, "Everyone has heart palpitations, but for some it can be serious," 7 Mar. 2018
These changes put stress on the body and can even cause heart palpitations.

— amanda macmillan, Health.com, "Dehydration Caused Tim McGraw to Collapse On Stage. Here's Why the Condition Is So Scary," 12 Mar. 2018
Other symptoms include weakness, heart palpitations, sweating and nausea.

— erin blakemore, Washington Post, "Once scary, heart bypass surgery has become common and safer," 6 Mar. 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

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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)

Learn More about palpitation

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for palpitation Spanish Central: Translation of palpitation Nglish: Translation of palpitation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of palpitation for Arabic speakers

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palpitation

Definition of palpitation

Recent Examples of palpitation from the Web

First Known Use of palpitation

palpitation Synonyms

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Medical Dictionary

palpitation

medical Definition of palpitation

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