arrhythmia

noun

ar·​rhyth·​mia ā-ˈrit͟h-mē-ə How to pronounce arrhythmia (audio)
: an alteration in rhythm of the heartbeat either in time or force

Examples of arrhythmia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The arrhythmia detector in this photomicrograph requires only about 10,000 logic gates, compared to the billions on a conventional chip. — Jackie Snow, IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2026 The coroner wrote that Mitchell had drowned, likely due to an arrhythmia triggered by the combination of energy drinks and physical exercise. — Ashley Okwuosa, STAT, 30 July 2026 Wearables can now identify arrhythmias before stroke. — Jeffrey Wessler, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 The company also flags baseline cardiac disease, abnormal ECG, arrhythmia, prior cervical vagotomy, abnormal cervical anatomy, brain tumor or aneurysm history, head trauma, syncope, seizures and nickel allergy as unevaluated risks. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for arrhythmia

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek arrhythmía "lack of rhythm," from árrhythmos "lacking rhythm, unrhythmical" + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at arrhythmic

First Known Use

circa 1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of arrhythmia was circa 1860

Phrases Containing arrhythmia

Browse Nearby Words

arrhostia
arrhythmia
arrhythmic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Arrhythmia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arrhythmia. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

arrhythmia

noun
ar·​rhyth·​mia ā-ˈrit͟h-mē-ə How to pronounce arrhythmia (audio)
: an alteration in rhythm of the heartbeat either in time or force

More from Merriam-Webster on arrhythmia

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about arrhythmia

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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