heartbeat
One pulsation of the heart; especially an irregular one, hence the emotion which causes it.
Example
“The policeman waited for a heartbeat in vain.”
Other meanings
The rhythm at which a heart pulsates, a cardiac indicator.
“If your heartbeat doesn't normalize soon, consult a doctor!”
A driving impulse or vital force; the vital center of something.
“Music is the heartbeat of the people.”
Related words
- heartbeat bill
- heartbeat law
- heartbeatlike
- Heartbleed
- in a heartbeat
Where this comes from
This definition is adapted from “heartbeat” on Wiktionary, by its contributors, published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.