Palpitation: meaning, definitions and examples

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palpitation

 

[ ˌpalpɪˈteɪʃ(ə)n ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

medical condition

Palpitation is the feeling of having a rapid, strong, or irregular heartbeat.

Synonyms

heart flutter, heart racing, rapid heartbeat.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
palpitation

Used in a more clinical or medical context to describe a noticeable, often irregular heartbeat. People might describe this to a doctor when having concerns about their heart health.

  • I went to the doctor because I was experiencing frequent palpitations.
heart racing

Commonly used to describe a situation where the heart is beating very fast, usually in response to emotions like excitement, fear, or anxiety.

  • Her heart was racing when she had to give the presentation.
heart flutter

Often used casually or descriptively to refer to a light, quick feeling in the chest. This can sometimes be related to emotions or minor concerns.

  • My heart fluttered when I saw him walk into the room.
rapid heartbeat

This is generally used in more formal or medical discussions to describe an abnormally fast heart rate. It can be part of a diagnosis or description of symptoms.

  • The doctor noted her rapid heartbeat and asked her to take a few deep breaths.

Examples of usage

  • My palpitations usually occur when I'm stressed.
  • She went to the doctor because of her frequent palpitations.
  • The palpitations woke him up in the middle of the night.
Context #2 | Noun

emotional response

Palpitation can also refer to a sudden strong feeling of fear or excitement.

Synonyms

flutter of the heart, heart pounding.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
palpitation

This term is commonly used in medical settings to describe the sensation of a rapidly or irregularly beating heart. It's often used in more formal or clinical conversations.

  • The patient reported experiencing frequent palpitations after exercising
heart pounding

This expression is often used in everyday language to describe a strong, noticeable heartbeat, usually due to excitement, fear, or physical exertion. It may carry a sense of urgency or intensity.

  • His heart was pounding after running up the stairs
flutter of the heart

This phrase can be used in more poetic or literary contexts, often to describe a mild, usually non-threatening sensation of a rapid heartbeat, sometimes related to emotions.

  • She felt a flutter of the heart as he walked into the room

Examples of usage

  • His heart raced with palpitations as he waited for the results.
  • The palpitations she felt before the interview were nerve-wracking.

Translations

Translations of the word "palpitation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 palpitação

🇮🇳 धड़कन

🇩🇪 Herzklopfen

🇮🇩 jantung berdebar

🇺🇦 серцебиття

🇵🇱 kołatanie serca

🇯🇵 動悸 (どうき)

🇫🇷 palpitation

🇪🇸 palpitación

🇹🇷 çarpıntı

🇰🇷 심계항진

🇸🇦 خفقان القلب

🇨🇿 bušení srdce

🇸🇰 búšenie srdca

🇨🇳 心悸 (xīnjì)

🇸🇮 razbijanje srca

🇮🇸 hjartsláttur

🇰🇿 жүрек қағу

🇬🇪 გულისცემის აჩქარება

🇦🇿 ürək döyüntüsü

🇲🇽 palpitación

Etymology

The word 'palpitation' originated from the Latin word 'palpitatio', which means a rapid throbbing or fluttering. The term has been used in medical contexts since the 17th century to describe the sensation of an irregular or rapid heartbeat. Over time, 'palpitation' has also come to be associated with strong emotional responses, reflecting the physical sensation of one's heart beating rapidly in moments of fear, excitement, or stress.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,310, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.