heart
beat
Plural
heartbeats
1
the rhythmic movement of the heart while it is pumping blood
- The doctor listened to the patient's heartbeat using a stethoscope.
- She felt her heartbeat quicken with excitement as she opened the acceptance letter.
- The baby's heartbeat was strong and steady, reassuring the expectant parents.
- He could hear his own heartbeat pounding in his ears as he waited nervously for the results.
- The steady heartbeat of the runner indicated she was in excellent cardiovascular health.
2
an essential, animating, or unifying force
- Music is the heartbeat of the city's culture.
- The volunteer group became the heartbeat of the community.
- Passion for science is the heartbeat of the research lab.
- The orchestra is the heartbeat of the theater.
- Hope is the heartbeat that keeps people moving forward.
3
a very brief moment of time
- The door slammed shut in a heartbeat.
- In the heartbeat of a second, the storm passed.
- The news spread through the crowd in a heartbeat.
- She made her decision in a heartbeat, without hesitation.
- The opportunity was gone in a heartbeat, leaving us no time to act.