pacemaker
[ peys-mey-ker ]
/ ˈpeɪsˌmeɪ kər /
noun
Medicine/Medical.
an electronic device implanted beneath the skin for providing a normal heartbeat by electrical stimulation of the heart muscle, used in certain heart conditions.
Anatomy, Physiology.
any specialized tissue that governs a rhythmic or cyclic biological activity, as the sinoatrial node of the heart that controls heartbeat.
OTHER WORDS FROM pacemaker
pace·mak·ing, nounWords nearby pacemaker
pace bowler,
pace car,
pace lap,
paced,
pacefollower,
pacemaker,
pacer,
pacesetter,
paceway,
pacey,
pacha
Example sentences from the Web for pacemaker
British Dictionary definitions for pacemaker
pacemaker
/ (ˈpeɪsˌmeɪkə) /
noun
a person, horse, vehicle, etc, used in a race or speed trial to set the pace
a person, an organization, etc, regarded as being the leader in a particular field of activity
Also called: cardiac pacemaker
a small area of specialized tissue within the wall of the right atrium of the heart whose spontaneous electrical activity initiates and controls the beat of the heart
Also called: artificial pacemaker
an electronic device for use in certain cases of heart disease to assume the functions of the natural cardiac pacemaker
Medical definitions for pacemaker
pacemaker
[ pās′mā′kər ]
n.
A part of the body, such as the specialized mass of cardiac muscle fibers of the sinoatrial node, that sets the pace or rhythm of physiological activity.
Any of several usually miniaturized and surgically implanted electronic devices used to stimulate or regulate contractions of the heart muscle.
A substance whose rate or reaction sets the pace for a series of chain reactions.
The rate-limiting reaction itself.
Other words from pacemaker
pace′mak′ing adj. n.Scientific definitions for pacemaker
pacemaker
[ pās′mā′kər ]
Any of several usually miniaturized and surgically implanted electronic devices used to stimulate or regulate contractions of the heart muscle. Electrodes attached to the heart muscle conduct electrical signals generated from the pacemaker, which either provides constant electrical stimuli to regularize the heartbeat (fixed-rate pacemakers) or provides a stimulus only when electrical activity within the heart is abnormal (demand pacemakers). Pacemakers are used in the treatment of various arrhythmias.
A part of the body, such as the specialized mass of cardiac muscle fibers of the sinoatrial node, that sets the pace or rhythm of physiological activity.
Cultural definitions for pacemaker
pacemaker
A group of specialized muscle fibers in the heart that send out impulses to regulate the heartbeat. If the heart's built-in pacemaker does not function properly, an artificial pacemaker may be necessary — a small electrical device that also regulates the heartbeat by sending out impulses. An artificial pacemaker may be placed inside the body surgically or may be worn outside.