palpitation

noun

pal·​pi·​ta·​tion ˌpal-pə-ˈtā-shən 

: a rapid pulsation

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

Synonyms

• beat
• beating
• pulsation
• pulse
• throb

Examples of palpitation in a Sentence

a palpitation of the blood vessels

Recent Examples on the Web

Other symptoms include fatigue, coughing, swelling of the legs or feet, low-grade fever, shortness of breath and heart palpitations. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025

Symptoms of peripartum cardiomyopathy include fatigue, heart palpitations and shortness of breath. —Natalie Brand, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2025

Heart palpitations Estrogen also helps regulate your heart rate and maintain healthy cholesterol levels, so fluctuations in the hormone can cause heart palpitations, even for women without a history of heart problems. —Erica Sweeney, SELF, 21 Mar. 2025

Its symptoms include chills, dizziness and light-headedness, excessive sweating, heart palpitations, nausea, shortness of breath, trembling or shaking, and upset stomach or indigestion. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for palpitation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

palpitation

noun

pal·​pi·​ta·​tion

ˌpal-pə-ˈtā-shən

: an act or instance of palpitating

especially : an abnormally rapid beating of the heart

Medical Definition

palpitation

noun

pal·​pi·​ta·​tion ˌpal-pə-ˈtā-shən 

: a rapid pulsation

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