noun
pulse
puhls
noun
1
The regular beat you feel in an artery, caused by the heart pumping blood.
"The nurse checked his pulse at the wrist."
"Her pulse quickened as she waited for the results."
2
A brief burst of energy, sound, or signal, often repeated in a sequence.
"The machine sends out an electrical pulse every second."
3
The edible seed of a legume plant, such as a lentil, bean, or pea.
"Pulses like chickpeas are a cheap source of protein."
verb
1
To beat or throb rhythmically, or to send something out in short bursts.
"Music pulsed through the crowded club."
How to Use Pulse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA heartbeat-like rhythm, a short burst of energy, or (as food) a dried bean, pea, or lentil.
Common mistake
The food sense (beans and lentils) is unrelated to the heartbeat sense — context makes it clear which is meant.
Common pairings
check someone's pulse
a pulse of light
dried pulses
Word Forms
pulsed past tense, pulses plural, pulses plural, pulses singular
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Etymology
From Latin pulsus, "beat" or "stroke," from pellere, "to drive or strike."