pacemaker

/ˈpeɪsˌmeɪkər/
noun
  1. A small electronic device placed in the chest to help control abnormal heart rhythms by sending electrical signals to the heart.
    • After his surgery, the pacemaker kept his heartbeat steady.
    • The doctor explained how a pacemaker can improve quality of life for patients with arrhythmia.
    • She had a pacemaker implanted last year and now feels much more energetic.
  2. A person or thing that sets the speed or standard for others to follow, especially in a race or competition.
    • The experienced runner acted as a pacemaker for the first half of the marathon.
    • In the cycling race, the pacemaker led the pack for several laps.
    • That company is a pacemaker in the field of renewable energy technology.
  3. A group of cells in the heart that generate the electrical impulses that control the heartbeat.
    • The sinoatrial node is the natural pacemaker of the heart.
    • The pacemaker cells fire regularly to maintain a normal heart rhythm.
    • If the heart's natural pacemaker fails, an artificial one may be needed.
Synonyms
What does "pacemaker" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean