Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):

   • To expand and contract rhythmically; to beat or throb with a regular rhythm: This is the primary meaning, describing a rhythmic physical movement, most commonly of the heart, blood vessels, or other organs.
   • To vibrate or quiver; to move with or as if with a regular alternating motion: This extends the meaning to describe a rhythmic vibration or oscillation, often conveying energy or excitement.

2. Verb (transitive):

   • To produce or modulate (something, like electromagnetic waves) in the form of short bursts or pulses; to cause an apparatus to produce pulses: This is a technical meaning, used in physics, electronics, and engineering.

Usage Examples

• Verb (intransitive - rhythmic beat):

  • The patient's neck artery pulsated visibly with each heartbeat.
  • The jellyfish pulsated gently as it swam through the water.

• Verb (intransitive - vibrate with energy):

  • The nightclub pulsated with loud music and flashing lights.
  • A sense of anticipation pulsated through the crowd before the concert.

• Verb (transitive - produce pulses):

  • The laser pulsates a beam of light at a very high frequency.
  • The circuit is designed to pulsate the electrical signal.

Advanced Usage

• "to pulsate with (something)": To be filled with and visibly or audibly express a powerful quality like energy, life, or excitement.
  • The city streets pulsated with life well after midnight.
  • His speech pulsated with raw emotion.

Variants and Related Words

• Pulsation (noun): A single beat or throb; the action of pulsating.
  • The doctor checked the pulsation in his wrist.
• Pulse (noun/verb): A closely related word. As a noun, it is the regular rhythm of blood flow; as a verb, it can be synonymous with 'pulsate'.
  • The machine pulsed with a steady green light.
• Pulsatile (adjective): Characterized by pulsation.
  • The device measures pulsatile blood flow.

Synonyms

• Beat: To strike repeatedly; to throb.
• Throb: To beat or sound with a strong, regular rhythm, often associated with pain or excitement.
• Vibrate: To move rapidly back and forth.
• Oscillate: To move or swing back and forth in a regular rhythm.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: 'Pulsate' itself is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. The related noun 'pulse' is used instead.) - Pulse through: (of a feeling, energy, etc.) to spread quickly and powerfully through a person or place. - A wave of excitement pulsed through the audience.

Related Idioms

(Note: There are no common idioms using the exact word 'pulsate'. Idioms typically use the noun 'pulse'.) - To have one's finger on the pulse: To be aware of the latest trends or feelings. - A good manager has her finger on the pulse of her team's morale.

Verb

1. produce or modulate (as electromagnetic waves) in the form of short bursts or pulses or cause an apparatus to produce pulses
   • pulse waves
   • a transmitter pulsed by an electronic tube
2. move with or as if with a regular alternating motion
   • the city pulsated with music and excitement
3. expand and contract rhythmically; beat rhythmically
   • The baby's heart was pulsating again after the surgeon massaged it