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1. The rhythmic contraction and expansion of the arteries with each beat of the heart
   - pulse, pulsation, beat
    
2. A very short time
   "if I had the chance I'd do it in a heartbeat";
   - blink of an eye [informal], flash, instant, jiffy [informal], split second, trice, twinkling [informal], wink [informal], New York minute [US, informal], jiff [informal], glimmering
    
3. An animating or vital unifying force
   "New York is the commercial heartbeat of America"

Derived forms: heartbeats

Type of: bit, force, minute, mo, moment, periodic event, recurrent event, second

Encyclopedia: Heartbeat