heartbeat

Everyday

1. A heartbeat is one beat of the heart as it pumps blood. tree →
2. Your heartbeat is the steady sound or rhythm of your heart beating. tree →
3. «In a heartbeat» means very quickly, without stopping to think. tree →

In the lessons

In science and PE lessons pupils find their pulse on the wrist or neck, count heartbeats for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to get beats per minute; exercise makes the heartbeat faster. A doctor listens to a heartbeat with a stethoscope. Phrases: count your heartbeat, fast heartbeat, in a heartbeat.

Examples

• I could feel my heartbeat after the race. tree →
• The doctor listened to my heartbeat. tree →
• Count your heartbeats for one minute. tree →
• Exercise makes your heartbeat faster. tree →
• A baby's heartbeat is faster than an adult's. tree →
• I'd say yes in a heartbeat. tree →

Note

Countable noun; one word: heart + beat. Maths: a child's resting heartbeat is about 70–100 beats per minute; 20 beats in 15 seconds = 80 per minute. The pulse you feel at the wrist is each heartbeat pushing blood.