pulsation

noun

pul·​sa·​tion ˌpəl-ˈsā-shən 

1

: rhythmical throbbing or vibrating (as of an artery)

also : a single beat or throb

2

: a periodically recurring alternate increase and decrease of a quantity (such as pressure, volume, or voltage)

Synonyms

• beat
• beating
• palpitation
• pulse
• throb

Examples of pulsation in a Sentence

you should press against the artery in your wrist and count the pulsations to calculate your heart rate

Recent Examples on the Web

How to use: After wetting your face, apply cleanser directly to the tool and turn it on to activate the sonic pulsations. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2024

Out in the open air, pulled from the cavernous bellies of fish, those hearts continued beating—a heap of pulsation, life holding onto life. —Diana Saverin, Longreads, 25 July 2024

Foreo Bear Microcurrent Facial Device $329 $197 AMAZON Sculpt your face at home with this microcurrent-meets-T-Sonic pulsations device that helps to lift, tighten, and firm the skin. —Iman Balagam, Vogue, 16 July 2024

This technology also gives way to a feature called Climax Control, a new setting that can be combined with suction for three different levels of pulsation depth. —Charlotte Lewis, refinery29.com, 9 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pulsacioun, borrowed from Medieval Latin pulsātiōn-, pulsātiō, going back to Latin, "repeated striking, knocking (on a door)," from pulsāre "to strike with repeated blows, beat, (in passive) beat wildly (of the heart)" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at pulsate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pulsation

noun

pul·​sa·​tion ˌpəl-ˈsā-shən 

: a rhythmic vibrating or expanding and contracting movement or action (as of an artery)

also : a single throb of such movement

Medical Definition

pulsation

noun

pul·​sa·​tion ˌpəl-ˈsā-shən 

1

: rhythmic throbbing or vibrating (as of an artery)

also : a single beat or throb

2

: a periodically recurring alternate increase and decrease of a quantity (as pressure, volume, or voltage)