1 palpitate | Definition of palpitate
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

palpitate

verb
pal路​pi路​tate | \ 藞pal-p蓹-藢t膩t How to pronounce palpitate (audio) \
palpitated; palpitating

Definition of palpitate

intransitive verb

: to beat rapidly and strongly : throb My heart began to palpitate when I was announced as the winner.
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about palpitate

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of palpitate in a Sentence

My heart began to palpitate when I was announced as the winner. the man's heart began to palpitate, and he feared another attack was coming on

Recent Examples on the Web

 Anyway, back to the point: Rachel Bilson bumped into Adam Brody at JFK Airport, and the hearts of millennials across the globe promptly stopped, palpitated, or completely exploded. — Emily Dixon, Marie Claire, "Rachel Bilson and Adam Brody Ran Into Each Other at the Airport," 14 Aug. 2019 Not to get all misty about hallowed visual-effects goldentimes, but Ray Harryhausen鈥檚 stop-motion skeletons made for a heart-palpitating battle in Jason and the Argonauts. — Mary H. K. Choi, WIRED, "High-Stakes Fight Scenes Pull No Punches," 28 Feb. 2011 Codeblack, a division of Lionsgate, took things a step further鈥攑erhaps too far for our soft, palpitating hearts. — Yohana Desta, VanityFair.com, "A Rihanna and Lupita Nyong鈥檕 Movie Would Be the Best Thing Twitter Has Ever Done," 24 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'palpitate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of palpitate

circa 1623, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for palpitate

Latin palpitatus, past participle of palpitare, frequentative of palpare to stroke

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for palpitate

palpitate

verb
How to pronounce palpitate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of palpitate

of the heart : to beat quickly and strongly and often in a way that is not regular because of excitement, nervousness, etc.

See the full definition for palpitate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

palpitate

verb
pal路​pi路​tate | \ 藞pal-p蓹-藢t膩t How to pronounce palpitate (audio) \
palpitated; palpitating

Kids Definition of palpitate

: throb entry 1 sense 2

palpitate

intransitive verb
pal路​pi路​tate | \ 藞pal-p蓹-藢t膩t How to pronounce palpitate (audio) \
palpitated; palpitating

Medical Definition of palpitate

: to beat rapidly, irregularly, or forcibly —used especially of the heart

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on palpitate

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with palpitate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for palpitate

Spanish Central: Translation of palpitate

Nglish: Translation of palpitate for Spanish Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!