pacemaker

noun

pace·​mak·​er ˈpās-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce pacemaker (audio)
1
a
: one that sets the pace for another
b
: one that takes the lead or sets an example
2
a
: a group of cells or a body part (such as the sinus node of the heart) that serves to establish and maintain a rhythmic activity
b
: an electrical device for stimulating or steadying the heartbeat or reestablishing the rhythm of an arrested heart
pacemaking noun

Examples of pacemaker in a Sentence

has long been regarded as a pacemaker in home electronics
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Still the pacemaker project remains secure, Rytkin said, thanks to Northwestern and interest from the national scientific community. Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025 The last event recorded on Hackman's pacemaker occurred Feb. 17. Shania Russell, EW.com, 28 Apr. 2025 Conventionally, temporary pacemakers comprise electrodes that are implanted in the heart muscle. Payal Dhar, Scientific American, 2 Apr. 2025 Arakawa is believed to have died first, around Feb. 11, while Hackman seemingly died about a week later, as the last activity on his pacemaker was recorded on Feb. 18. Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pacemaker

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of pacemaker was in 1884

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pacemaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pacemaker. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

pacemaker

noun
pace·​mak·​er ˈpā-ˌsmā-kər How to pronounce pacemaker (audio)
1
: a group of cells or a bodily part (as of the heart) that serves to establish and maintain a rhythmic bodily activity
2
: an electrical device for steadying or establishing the heartbeat

Medical Definition

pacemaker

noun
pace·​mak·​er ˈpā-ˌsmā-kər How to pronounce pacemaker (audio)
1
: a group of cells or a body part (as the sinoatrial node of the heart) that serves to establish and maintain a rhythmic activity
2
: an electrical device for stimulating or steadying the heartbeat or reestablishing the rhythm of an arrested heart

called also pacer

More from Merriam-Webster on pacemaker

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