Heartbeat Meaning
/ˈhɑːtˌbiːt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounOne pulsation of the heart; especially an irregular one, hence the emotion which causes it.
nounThe rhythm at which a heart pulsates, a cardiac indicator.
Sentence Examples
The doctor monitored the patient's heartbeat and blood pressure.
She laid her head on my chest so she could listen to my heartbeat.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor listened for the patient's ____ to confirm he was still alive.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The athlete's ____ gradually slowed down as he rested after the long and exhausting race.
Word Origin & History
From heart + beat.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Both CRT-Ds and ICDs are implanted under the skin, in the patient’s upper chest area. The devices have wires called leads that attach to the heart and regulate the rhythm of the muscle. Defibrillators help patients with bradycardia – a slow heartbeat – by pacing the heartbeat and those with tachycardia – a fast heartbeat – by delivering shocks that reset heartbeats to normal."
— 2016 October 11, Hailey Middlebrook, “After 2 deaths, patients warned about heart defibrillators’ failed batteries”, in CNN:
"Dream Body Recovery is just one of countless recovery houses that have cropped up in Miami, which has become the heartbeat of the B.B.L. boom in the United States. The average price of a B.B.L. nationwide is around $5,000, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons."
— 2022 May 11, Sandra E. Garcia, “Butt Lifts Are Booming. Healing Is No Joke.”, in The New York Times Magazine, archived from the original on 14 May 2022:
"Cause I love you more than life Take a bullet for you I swear, I swear In a heartbeat"
— 2014, “Bullet”, Robbie Williams et al. (lyrics):
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor listened for the patient's ____ to confirm he was still alive.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The athlete's ____ gradually slowed down as he rested after the long and exhausting race.