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Noun: pacemaker  'peys,mey-ku(r)
  1. A specialized bit of heart tissue that controls the heartbeat
    "The doctor monitored the function of the patient's natural pacemaker";
    - cardiac pacemaker, sinoatrial node, SA node
     
  2. An implanted electronic device that takes over the function of the natural cardiac pacemaker
    "The patient's irregular heartbeat was corrected with an artificial pacemaker";
    - artificial pacemaker
     
  3. A leading instance in its field
    "the new policy will be a pacemaker in community relations";
    - pacesetter
     
  4. A horse used to set the pace in racing
    "The pacemaker led the pack for the first half of the race";
    - pacer, pacesetter

Derived forms: pacemakers

Type of: bangtail [US, informal], cardiac muscle, electronic device, example, exemplar, good example, heart muscle, model, neddy [Austral, informal], pony [informal], race horse, racehorse

Encyclopedia: Pacemaker