palpitation

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

|Updated on: 7 Jun 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

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
In addition to shortness of breath and fatigue, symptoms of AFib include heart palpitations, weakness, dizziness and chest pain.

— trihealth, Cincinnati.com, "Collaborative treatment helps Pete get moving after AFib," 4 May 2018
While the conservative editorialists at the Journal were having heart palpitations, one of Rupert Murdoch’s other media assets was giving Trump air cover.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Trump triangulates on trade. Here are five takeaways from the tariff announcement.," 2 Mar. 2018
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

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)