Heartbeat - Definition

n 1: the rhythmic contraction and expansion of the arteries with
each beat of the heart; "he could feel the beat of her
heart" [syn: pulse, pulsation, heartbeat, beat]
2: 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" [syn: blink of an eye, flash, heartbeat,
instant, jiffy, split second, trice, twinkling,
wink, New York minute]
3: an animating or vital unifying force; "New York is the
commercial heartbeat of America"