pulse

1 pulse /ˈpʌls/ noun
plural pulses
1 pulse
/ˈpʌls/
noun
plural pulses
Britannica Dictionary definition of PULSE
[count]
1 
: the regular movement of blood through your body that is caused by the beating of your heart and that can be felt by touching certain parts of your body — usually singular
2 
: a strong, regular beat or pattern of sounds in music — usually singular
3 
: a brief increase in an amount of electricity, light, or sound
4 
: the ideas, feelings, or opinions that are shared by a particular group of people — usually singular

finger on the pulse

— see 1finger
2 pulse /ˈpʌls/ verb
pulses; pulsed; pulsing
2 pulse
/ˈpʌls/
verb
pulses; pulsed; pulsing
Britannica Dictionary definition of PULSE
[no object]
1 
a  : to move with strong, regular beats
— often used figuratively
b  : to produce a strong, regular beat
2 
: to be filled with activity or a feeling