heartbeat

(n) the rhythmic contraction and expansion of the arteries with each beat of the heart
- he could feel the beat of her heart
beat, pulse, pulsation,
(n) 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
blink of an eye, instant, jiffy, New York minute, split second, trice, twinkling, wink, flash,
(n) an animating or vital unifying force
- New York is the commercial heartbeat of America

beat pulse pulsation blink of an eye instant jiffy New York minute split second trice twinkling wink flash