palpitation

[pal-pi-tey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of palpitating.

2. an unusually or abnormally rapid or violent beating of the heart.

Word History and Origins

Origin of palpitation¹

1595–1605; < Latin palpitātiōn- (stem of palpitātiō ) a throbbing. See palpitate, -ion

Example Sentences

A simple delivery from out wide or down the middle causes palpitations, defenders second-guessing each other, nobody taking command.

From BBC

"I still can't forget what I saw that day. I panicked; I had palpitations. I'd never seen anything like that before."

From BBC

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of Graves’ disease can include “feeling nervous or irritable,” slight tremors of the hands or fingers, weight loss, menstrual changes and heart palpitations.

From Los Angeles Times

I felt the dizzy rush of adrenaline send my heart into palpitations as long-dormant hope sprang forth from that simple smile.

From Los Angeles Times

Stage two includes abdominal obesity - the harmful visceral fat - and is often accompanied by health issues like diabetes, knee pain or palpitations.

From BBC

When To Use

What does palpitation mean?

Palpitation is most commonly used to refer to a heart palpitation—an unusually or abnormally rapid or violent beating of the heart.Heart palpitations typically involve the heart beating hard and faster, and they may also involve an irregularity in rhythm.Palpitation can also refer to the act, process, or an instance of palpitating—pulsing, throbbing, or trembling. When your heart palpitates, it beats more quickly or in a fluttering way.Example: My doctor said my heart palpitations may be due to a combination of stress and too much caffeine.