throb

American  

[throb] / θrɒb /

verb (used without object)

throbbed, throbbing

1. to beat with increased force or rapidity, as the heart under the influence of emotion or excitement; palpitate.

2. to feel or exhibit emotion.

   He throbbed at the happy thought.

3. to pulsate; vibrate.

   The cello throbbed.

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noun

1. the act of throbbing.

2. a violent beat or pulsation, as of the heart.

3. any pulsation or vibration.

   the throb of engines.

throb British  

/ θrɒb /

verb

1. to pulsate or beat repeatedly, esp with increased force

   to throb with pain

2. (of engines, drums, etc) to have a strong rhythmic vibration or beat

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noun

1. the act or an instance of throbbing, esp a rapid pulsation as of the heart

   a throb of pleasure

Related Words

See pulsate.

Other Word Forms

• outthrob verb (used with object)
• throbber noun
• throbbing adjective
• throbbingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of throb

First recorded in 1325–75; unattested Middle English throbben, implied in present participle throbbant “throbbing”; further origin unknown

Example Sentences

The braggadocious “Helicopter” has a piercing throb like a car alarm, while “Stole Ya Flow”—a diss track apparently addressed to Drake—has a curling and distorted drone winding through it, a rattlesnake-like warning.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026

Emma was about 11 when her legs started to feel heavy and throb and said they started to grow bigger.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2025

The look and smell of the liquid made my head throb.

From Salon • Dec. 16, 2023

Your eyes might begin to water, your head to throb and headlines in today’s newspapers to overwhelm your thoughts.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2023

But the idea that it could have been Finn who’d scared her made that mark in the center of his chest throb.

From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby

Related Words

• flutter
• pulse
• resonate
• tremble
• vibrate