pulsate

verb

pul·​sate ˈpəl-ˌsāt How to pronounce pulsate (audio)
 also  ˌpəl-ˈsāt
pulsated; pulsating

intransitive verb

1
: to throb or move rhythmically : vibrate
2
: to exhibit a pulse or pulsation : beat

Examples of pulsate in a Sentence

The lights pulsated with the music. People danced to the pulsating sounds of hip-hop. Virtually every scene of the movie pulsates with suspense.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Knowledgeable teammates and patient coaches prepared the young player for the pulsating energy of Wrigley Field. Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 5 July 2025 Choose your adventure: the main floor offers prime drag show viewing under pulsating neon, and the overhead balcony gives a bird’s-eye view of the revelry. Ana Gutierrez Austin American Statesman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 The Puerto Rican duo’s second album — its first in five years — sees co-founders Raquel Berrios and Luis Alfredo del Valle dive deeper into their intimate reflections on modern relationships, infusing stories of romantic struggles with pulsating basslines and dreamy melodies. Luisa Calle, Billboard, 13 June 2025 The pulsating music, giant inflatables tossed into the crowd and sudden blasts of fog can overstimulate kids. Lynda Lin Grigsby, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for pulsate

Word History

Etymology

in part borrowed from Latin pulsātus, past participle of pulsāre "to strike with repeated blows, beat, (in passive) beat wildly (of the heart)," frequentative or repetitive derivative of pellere "to beat against, push, strike"; in part from pulse entry 1 + -ate entry 4 — more at pulse entry 1

First Known Use

1744, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pulsate was in 1744

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pulsate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pulsate. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

pulsate

verb
pul·​sate ˈpəl-ˌsāt How to pronounce pulsate (audio)
pulsated; pulsating
1
: to throb or move rhythmically
2
: to exhibit a pulse or pulsation : beat
a heart pulsating

Medical Definition

pulsate

intransitive verb
pul·​sate
ˈpəl-ˌsāt also ˌpəl-ˈ
pulsated; pulsating
: to exhibit a pulse or pulsation
a pulsating artery

More from Merriam-Webster on pulsate

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