arrhythmia

noun

ar·​rhyth·​mia ā-ˈrit͟h-mē-ə 

: an alteration in rhythm of the heartbeat either in time or force

Examples of arrhythmia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These structural changes in the heart muscle increase the risk of arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation. —Valerie Cacho, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2026

Hypothermia would quickly sap your ability to think clearly and degrade your motor functions, eventually leading to cardiac arrhythmia, loss of consciousness, and cardiac arrest. —Alan Bradley, Space.com, 21 Feb. 2026

Because the study focused on coronary heart disease, Sun said, the findings wouldn’t necessarily apply to other conditions such as heart failure or arrhythmias. —Barbara Mantel, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026

Carter also suffered from atrial fibrillation, an arrhythmia resulting in rapid heartbeat, and pulmonary hypertension, a progressive disease that can result in high blood pressure. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek arrhythmía "lack of rhythm," from árrhythmos "lacking rhythm, unrhythmical" + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at arrhythmic

First Known Use

circa 1860, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing arrhythmia

• anti-arrhythmia

Medical Definition

arrhythmia

noun

ar·​rhyth·​mia ā-ˈrit͟h-mē-ə 

: an alteration in rhythm of the heartbeat either in time or force