Definition of Heartbeat

1. Noun. The rhythmic contraction and expansion of the arteries with each beat of the heart. "He could feel the beat of her heart"

Exact synonyms: Beat, Pulsation, Pulse
Generic synonyms: Periodic Event, Recurrent Event
Specialized synonyms: Diastole, Systole, Pounding, Throb, Throbbing
Derivative terms: Beat, Pulsate, Pulsate, Pulse

2. Noun. A very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat). "If I had the chance I'd do it in a flash"
Exact synonyms: Blink Of An Eye, Flash, Instant, Jiffy, New York Minute, Split Second, Trice, Twinkling, Wink
Generic synonyms: Bit, Minute, Mo, Moment, Second
Derivative terms: Flash

3. Noun. An animating or vital unifying force. "New York is the commercial heartbeat of America"
Generic synonyms: Force

Definition of Heartbeat

1. Noun. One pulsation of the heart; especially an irregular one, hence the emotion which causes it. ¹

2. Noun. The rhythm at which a heart pulsates, a cardiac indicator ¹

3. Noun. A driving impulse or vital force. ¹

4. Noun. A very short space of time; an instant. ¹

5. Noun. (computing) A periodic signal generated by hardware or software to indicate normal operation or to synchronize other parts of a system. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Heartbeat

1. [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Heartbeat

heart transplantation
heart urchin
heart valve
heart valve prolapse
heart valve prosthesis
heart valve prosthesis implantation
heart valves
heart ventricle
heartache
heartaches
heartachey
heartachingly
heartachy
heartake
heartbalm
heartbeat (current term)
heartbeatlike
heartbeats
heartbond
heartbreak
heartbreaker
heartbreakers
heartbreaking
heartbreakingly
heartbreakingness
heartbreakings
heartbreaks
heartbroken
heartbrokenly
heartbrokenness

Literary usage of Heartbeat

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Backup Book: Disaster Recovery from Desktop to Data Center by Dorian J. Cougias, E. L. Heiberger, Karsten Koop (2003)
"Because they use this address only for heartbeat purposes, ... The interruption of this heartbeat signal triggers the backup firewall to take over operation ..."

2. Laboratory Manual for Human Physiology: Experimental Studies in Hygiene by Carl Gottfried Hartman (1914)
"THE HUMAN PULSE AND heartbeat. (HOME WORK) Apparatus and material: A watch ; for (b) a handkerchief and a small, strong stick. ..."

3. Death by Default: A Policy of Fatal Neglect in China's State Orphanages by Robin Munro (1996)
"heartbeat regular. Abdomen soft. Liver and spleen not palpable. ... heartbeat regular. Abdomen soft. High muscular tension in all limbs. ..."

4. The Dynamics of Living Matter by Jacques Loeb (1906)
"parent and the heartbeat can easily be watched. ... In this case the rate of the heartbeat sinks during the first hour in the hydrogen current ..."

Other Resources:

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