heartbeat

The speed or regular pattern of the heart’s movements as it pumps blood.

• Her heartbeat was very fast.
• The nurse checked his heartbeat after the walk.
• My heartbeat returned to normal when I rested.

Similar words: heart rhythm, pulse

Common phrases: rapid heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, steady heartbeat, normal heartbeat

An extremely short time.

• She was gone in a heartbeat.
• I would visit that island again in a heartbeat.
• Everything changed within a heartbeat.

How to use it: in a heartbeat (I would accept that job in a heartbeat.)

Similar words: instant, moment, second

Common phrases: in a heartbeat, within a heartbeat, last a heartbeat

One movement of the heart as it pushes blood through the body, sometimes felt strongly with emotion.

• I felt a strong heartbeat in my chest.
• The monitor recorded each heartbeat.
• One sudden heartbeat made her aware of her fear.

Similar words: beat, pulsation

Common phrases: a single heartbeat, feel a heartbeat, hear a heartbeat

The person, place, or activity that gives something its life, energy, or main purpose.

• Music is the heartbeat of this festival.
• The station became the heartbeat of the town.
• Volunteers remain the heartbeat of our organisation.

How to use it: the heartbeat of something (The market is the heartbeat of the town.)

Similar words: heart, lifeblood, driving force

Common phrases: heartbeat of something, the city’s heartbeat, the community’s heartbeat