WordGarden.iopulsate
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈʌlseɪt/
US
- /ˈpʌl.seɪt/verb
Meanings
Verb
to beat or throb in a regular rhythm, especially in the body
to vary or flash in repeated pulses, as with light, sound, or signals
to be full of intense energy, excitement, or life
Beyond the definition
Think of your heartbeat: that steady, repeated beat is what it means to pulsate. It describes something beating, throbbing, or growing stronger and weaker in a regular pattern. A pulsating light does not shine evenly; it grows brighter and dimmer again and again. You might feel pain pulsate in your head, or notice music pulsating through a room with a strong beat. The word gives a sense of motion, force, and life.
It is not used only for the body. A city at night can pulsate with energy, full of movement and noise. A crowd can seem to pulsate with excitement. In both literal and figurative use, the idea is the same: something moves or feels alive in a strong, steady rhythm.
To pulsate means to beat or throb in a regular rhythm, often with a repeated swelling and shrinking. The clearest examples come from the body: a heart pulsates, blood vessels pulsate, and a painful area can seem to pulsate with each beat of blood flow. In these cases, the word suggests a strong, living rhythm that you can feel clearly.
From there, the meaning extends to other things that seem to follow the same kind of pattern. A light can pulsate as it grows brighter and dimmer at regular intervals. Music can pulsate through a club or hall when the beat feels strong and repeated. In writing, people also use the word for places or groups full of energy, as in a street that pulsates with life or a crowd that pulsates with excitement.
The word usually carries a vivid sense of movement and force. It does not mean random motion; it suggests a steady, repeated beat, flash, or surge. That is why it works well for physical throbbing, rhythmic light, strong music, and lively scenes that seem to move with shared energy.
Examples
- 1
Physical pain
A dull pain began to pulsate behind my eyes.
- 2
Flashing lights
Blue lights pulsated along the ceiling of the train.
- 3
Loud music
As the bass got louder, the whole room seemed to pulsate.
- 4
Nightlife energy
On Friday nights, the neighborhood pulsates with music, traffic, and people.
- Patternpulsate with + activity/energy
feel full of strong, repeated energy
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- pulsateverb
Forms
- pulsating-ing formverb
- pulsatesverb
- pulsatedpast tenseverb