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Definition of heartbeat noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

heartbeat

noun
 
/ˈhɑːtbiːt/
 
/ˈhɑːrtbiːt/
Idioms
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  1. [countable, uncountable] the movement or sound of the heart as it sends blood around the body
    • a rapid/regular heartbeat
    • She was suddenly aware of her racing heartbeat.
    • The first track on the album begins with the sound of a heartbeat.
    • Her heartbeats steadied.
    Topics Health and Fitnessb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • steady
    • irregular
    • racing
    verb + heartbeat
    • monitor
    • feel
    • hear
    heartbeat + verb
    • quicken
    phrases
    • the sound of a heartbeat
    See full entry
  2. [singular] the heartbeat of something an important feature of something, that is responsible for making it what it is
    • The candidate said that he understood the heartbeat of the Hispanic community in California.
Idioms
a heartbeat away (from something)
  1. very close to something
    • Her game is just a heartbeat away from perfection.
in a heartbeat
  1. very quickly, without thinking about it
    • If I was offered another job, I'd leave in a heartbeat.
See heartbeat in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
trait
noun
 
 
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