heartbeat
10 synonyms for heartbeat, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A single pulse of the heart, or the steady rhythm of the heart pumping.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use heartbeat
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a steady heartbeat
in a heartbeat
heartbeat monitor
heartbeat signal
Etymology
A straightforward compound of "heart" and "beat" — used literally for centuries before being borrowed by computing for its "signal of life" idea.
Full origin of heartbeat →Frequently asked questions
What does “heartbeat” mean?
The word “heartbeat” means a single pulse of the heart, or the steady rhythm of the heart pumping. In plain terms, the pulse of the heart — or, by extension, a regular signal that shows something is still alive and working.
How do you pronounce “heartbeat”?
“Heartbeat” is pronounced HAHT-beet (/ˈhɑɹtˌbit/ in IPA).
How do you use “heartbeat” in a sentence?
Here is “heartbeat” used in a sentence: “The nurse checked the baby's heartbeat with a small handheld monitor.”
What part of speech is “heartbeat”?
“Heartbeat” is a noun.
Is “heartbeat” a common word?
“Heartbeat” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “heartbeat” have?
“Heartbeat” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a single pulse of the heart, or the steady rhythm of the heart pumping.
What is a heartbeat signal in computing?
In computing, a heartbeat is a repeating signal a system sends at regular intervals to show it is still running and functioning properly. If the heartbeat stops arriving, other systems can detect that the machine or process has failed.
Is heartbeat only about the physical pulse of the heart?
No, heartbeat also extends figuratively to mean a very brief moment in time and, in technology, a status signal confirming a system is active. Its meanings all share the idea of a steady, repeating pulse.
