English Reference

Word

pulsating

Phoneticspul·sat·ing

US/ˈpəɫˌseɪtɪŋ/

UK/pˈʌlseɪtɪŋ/

Definition

v. to beat or throb in a regular, strong way. You use this to describe a heart, a drum, or a light that moves back and forth.

v. to beat or throb with a regular, rhythmic motion. Often describes biological processes like a heartbeat or mechanical vibrations like a drumbeat.

Examples

“The drum is pulsating with a steady rhythm.”

“The city's heartbeat is the pulsating traffic that never seems to stop during the day.”

“The heart of the ancient temple was a massive stone that pulsating with a low, rhythmic sound that seemed to echo through the cavern walls.”

Examples

simple

“The drum is pulsating with a steady rhythm.”

contextual

“The city's heartbeat is the pulsating traffic that never seems to stop during the day.”

complex

“The heart of the ancient temple was a massive stone that pulsating with a low, rhythmic sound that seemed to echo through the cavern walls.”

Real-World Examples

“There, however, was Sá to show why he was awarded a new contract, as he tipped the ball aside to ensure this pulsating match finished even.”
The Guardian · 6 Sept 2026
“Hamill Industries, who used some AI in their creation process, unleash something transfixing on a giant screen above the stage: morphing, pulsating pixels that look like lava or the surface of the sun.”
The Guardian · 30 Aug 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference