heartbeat

noun

heart·​beat ˈhärt-ˌbēt 

1

: one complete pulsation of the heart

2

: the vital center or driving impulse

3

: a brief space of time : flash

—used chiefly in the phrase in a heartbeat

Synonyms of heartbeat

• minute
• second
• moment

Examples of heartbeat in a Sentence

The patient had a rapid heartbeat.

I'd accept a job offer from that company in a heartbeat.

Recent Examples on the Web

For those who monitor their caffeine intake due to health conditions, are pregnant, or have sensitivity to caffeine, consuming caffeine can cause side effects such as jitters, rapid heartbeat, or sleep disruption, per Newsweek. —Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Jan. 2026

The Lafferty family made casts of their hands held together and heartbeat recordings. —Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026

The heartbeat of a dog or cat can be felt by laying them down on their right side and placing your hand over their chest, just behind the left elbow. —Lisa Bloch, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026

Depending on your vantage point, the game either mimics an accelerated version of the stock market or a human heartbeat on a medical monitor. —Jasper Craven, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing heartbeat

• heartbeat law
• in a heartbeat

Rhymes for heartbeat

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete

Kids Definition

heartbeat

noun

heart·​beat ˈhärt-ˌbēt 

: a single contracting and expanding of the heart

Medical Definition

heartbeat

noun

heart·​beat ˈhärt-ˌbēt 

: one complete pulsation of the heart