heart rate

American

[hahrt rayt] / ˈhɑrt ˌreɪt /

noun

the number of heartbeats per minute.

heart rate Scientific

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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

heart rates

plural

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.

See Examples For:

heart rate

Alexander disease can interfere with movement, thinking, and automatic bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026

Many people rely on biometric readers displaying sleep, heart rate, recovery, and more.

From Slate ● Oct. 9, 2026

Doctors say his heart rate improves during her visit.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

Oura’s smart rings, some of which cost up to $499, monitor health indicators including heart rate, body temperature and sleep.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

Briony felt her heart rate rise as she began her unwilling descent.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

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