noun
pacemaker
PAYS-may-kuhr
noun
1
A small medical device implanted in the chest to regulate an irregular heartbeat.
"He had a pacemaker fitted after his heart rhythm became unstable."
2
A runner or competitor who sets the speed for others in a race.
"The pacemaker dropped out after the first lap, having done their job."
How to Use Pacemaker
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither an implanted device that keeps someone's heartbeat steady, or a racer who sets the pace for others.
Common pairings
fitted with a pacemaker
act as pacemaker
Word Forms
pacemakers plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “pacemaker”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
He had a _____ fitted after his heart rhythm became unstable.
Etymology
A compound of "pace" and "maker," originally describing the natural pacemaker cells of the heart before being applied to the medical device.