palpitated; palpitating

intransitive verb

: to beat rapidly and strongly : throb
My heart began to palpitate when I was announced as the winner.

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
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.
Representing heart-palpitating romance is the main storyline: the passion of Megha’s son Naveen (Carol Mazhuvancheril) for his boyfriend, Keshav (Noah Israel), a fellow Hindu who happens to be Caucasian. Celia Wren, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2023 The matte, phosphorescent sigils painted onto his robe appeared to palpitate in the low light. Kent Russell, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of palpitate was circa 1623

Dictionary Entries Near palpitate

Cite this Entry

“Palpitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palpitate. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

palpitate

verb
palpitated; palpitating
: to beat rapidly and strongly : throb, quiver

Medical Definition

palpitate

intransitive verb
palpitated; palpitating
: to beat rapidly, irregularly, or forcibly
used especially of the heart

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