# pulse

/ˈpəɫs/ (US) · /pˈʌls/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pulse
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. heartbeat

noun · CEFR B1

the regular beat of blood through your body, which you can feel at your wrist or neck.

For teachers: the rhythmic arterial throbbing caused by the heart's contractions, typically measured at the radial or carotid artery.

- The doctor checked my pulse to make sure my heart was beating normally.
- After the marathon, his resting pulse remained elevated for several hours as his body recovered from the intense physical exertion.

### 2. edible seeds

noun · CEFR B2

the edible seeds of plants like peas, beans, and lentils.

For teachers: the edible seeds of various leguminous plants, typically harvested in a dry state.

- Adding pulses like chickpeas to your soup makes it much more filling.
- The chef recommended a diet rich in pulses and whole grains to provide a sustainable source of plant-based protein.

### 3. burst of energy

noun · CEFR B2

a short, sudden increase in light, sound, or electricity.

For teachers: a transient signal or short burst of electromagnetic or acoustic energy.

- The machine sends a pulse of light through the cable to transmit data.
- The radar system emits a high-frequency pulse and measures the time it takes for the signal to bounce back from an object.

### 4. general mood or energy

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

the feeling of energy or excitement in a place or activity.

For teachers: the underlying rhythm, energy, or prevailing mood of a specific environment or social movement.

- You can really feel the pulse of the city in this busy market.
- The journalist spent months in the capital trying to capture the political pulse of the nation during the election cycle.

### 5. to throb or vibrate

verb · CEFR B2

to move or shake with a strong, regular beat.

For teachers: to expand and contract rhythmically; to vibrate or throb with intensity.

- The loud music made the floor pulse beneath our feet.
- The neon signs pulsed rhythmically in the rain, casting flickering colors across the deserted pavement.

### 6. to process in bursts

verb · CEFR B2

to turn a machine on and off quickly to chop food without turning it into liquid.

For teachers: to operate a kitchen appliance, such as a blender, in short, intermittent bursts.

- Pulse the onions a few times in the food processor until they are roughly chopped.
- To achieve the correct texture for the salsa, you should pulse the ingredients rather than blending them continuously.

## Examples

- The nurse checked the patient's pulse.
- After running up the stairs, he could feel his pulse pounding in his neck.
- The city has a vibrant pulse, a constant rhythm of traffic and activity that never seems to stop, even late at night.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.