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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.

I think my maximum heart rate is 193 normally.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

This area, called the lateral parafacial region, is located in the brainstem, the oldest part of the brain responsible for automatic functions like breathing, digestion, and heart rate.

From Science Daily • Mar. 22, 2026

Monitors tracked her heart rate and blood pressure.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

Katie said her heart rate would regularly shoot up to 180bpm - far above the normal maximum - and would last for hours.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

“Your heart rate is accelerated and you're sweating. Your adrenaline is high. All indicators of stress,” it replied.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

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.