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 of pulsation

• 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

Options already span over-the-counter artificial tears, warm compresses and omega-3 supplements through prescription eye drops and in-office procedures like thermal pulsation, microblepharoexfoliation and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026

But, the researchers say, artificial intelligence struggles with the messy realities of the cosmos, such as stellar flares and the natural pulsations of stars that can trick the algorithms into false positives. — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026

They’re designed to minimize pulsation and noise, which are common issues with larger vehicles. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 June 2026

Slow pulsations near the end of the AGB phase lead to ejecta, but these ejecta are rarely visible directly. — Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for pulsation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

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)