palpitation

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

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)

See palpitation defined for kids

Recent Examples of palpitation from the Web

A few months after my first child’s birth — months filled with panic, a chest full of pressure, and heart palpitations — a doctor finally explained that no, there was nothing wrong with my heart.

— sarah bregel, The Cut, "The Lonely Terror of Postpartum Anxiety," 29 Aug. 2017
MASON — There were more than a few heart palpitations when President Donald Trump’s first budget came out in March and community development block grants to states and local governments were severely cut.

— kathleen gray, Detroit Free Press, "State, U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop highlight benefits of community development block grants," 9 Aug. 2017
Fans raised their eyebrows last week after a video of them secretly holding hands during an interview went viral, and now Reinhart's Instagram is causing some heart palpitations.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "Lili Reinhart Wrote the Sweetest Thing on Instagram for Cole Sprouse's Birthday," 4 Aug. 2017
Men who combined the two reported heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, and vomiting.

— emily anthes, Bloomberg.com, "Why We Can’t Have the Male Pill," 3 Aug. 2017
In a surprising plot twist, there’s finally a Fixer Upper up for grabs with a price that won’t give you heart palpitations.

— patricia shannon, Southern Living, "The Cutest Fixer Upper Just Hit the Market and It’s Actually Affordable," 25 July 2017
There is Kellie Tabb, who recently had her right lung removed because of cancer and suffers from heart palpitations—a symptom of chloroprene inhalation according to the International Programme on Chemical Safety.

— justin nobel, Longreads, "The Louisiana Environmental Apocalypse Road Trip," 13 July 2017
While Lane noted that snorting chocolate is probably better than snorting illicit drugs, the powder could block sinuses, act as a gateway to other drugs, and—as is the case with any energy product—cause heart palpitations, and raise blood pressure.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "Cocaine on training wheels? Snortable chocolate raises eyebrows, angers Schumer," 10 July 2017
Probably not, but especially for people over the age of 60 heart palpitations, fluctuations and the like can be signs of potential heart problems.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Is Your Heart Working Correctly? Ask an AI," 10 July 2017

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

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)