ˈhɑːtˌbiːt ˈhɑɹtˌbit ˈd͡ʒɪ.fi pʌlˈseɪʃn̩ pəlˈseɪʃən an animating or vital unifying force New York is the commercial heartbeat of America the rhythmic contraction and expansion of the arteries with each beat of the heart he could feel the beat of her heart a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat) if I had the chance, I'd do it in a flash