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heart rate

American  
[hahrt reyt] / ˈhɑrt ˌreɪt /

noun

  1. the number of heartbeats per minute.

heart rate Scientific  

  1. The number of heartbeats per unit of time, usually expressed as beats per minute.

Etymology

Origin of heart rate

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Heart rate, blood-oxygen level, skin temperature, body movement and other readings aren’t useful in one-off measurements.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Heart rate, breathing rate, and pupil size were also recorded.

From Science Daily • Jan. 20, 2026

Heart rate and blood pressure jump and stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline surge.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

Heart rate monitors proved the outdoor ramble objectively had required more exertion than hiking on the treadmill.

From Washington Post • Apr. 12, 2023

Heart rate is a key marker of cardiovascular activity and an important vital sign.

From Salon • Dec. 31, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.