—heart /hɑːt/ aep /hɑːrt/
noun (CARDS)
heartsF0 [plural or U] one of the four suits in playing cards, which has one or more red heart shapes:
» the seven/ace of heartsF0 [C] a playing card from the suit of hearts:
» In this game, a heart beats a club.noun (CENTRAL PART)
B1 [S] the central or most important part:
» The demonstrators will march through the heart of the capital.» A disagreement about boundaries is at the heart of the dispute.» Let's get to the heart of the matter.Thesaurus+: ↑Important and essential things , ↑Information and messagesF0 [C] the firm central part of a vegetable, especially one with a lot of leaves:
» artichoke hearts» the heart of a lettuceSee picture: the heart of a lettuce 
Thesaurus+: ↑Parts of plants
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Extra Examples:» These are changes which attack the very heart of British society.» By its nature, terrorism is designed to strike at the heart of our democratic values.» They live in a two-bedroomed house in the heart of suburbia.» He had a key job at the heart of government.» They've got a fabulous apartment in the heart of Paris.noun [C or U] (EMOTIONS)
► B1 used to refer to a person's character, or the place within a person where feelings or emotions are considered to come from: » She has a good heart (= she is a kind person).» I love you, and I mean it from the bottom of my heart (= very sincerely).» I love you with all my heart (= very much).» He said he'd never marry but he had a change of heart (= his feelings changed) when he met her.» Homelessness is a subject very close/dear to her heart (= is very important to her and she has strong feelings about it).» He broke her heart (= made her very sad) when he left her for another woman.» It breaks my heart (= makes me feel very sad) to see him so unhappy.» They say he died of a broken heart (= because he was so sad).» OLD-FASHIONED It does my heart good (= makes me very happy) to see those children so happy.» His heart leaped (= he suddenly felt very excited and happy) when the phone rang.Thesaurus+: ↑Mind and personality , ↑Science of psychology and psychoanalysisThesaurus+: ↑Feelings - general wordsWord Builder:–Nouns: heart–Adjectives: heartless, hearty, heartened, heartening–Adverbs: heartily• • •
Extra Examples:» She remained silent, for her heart was heavy and her spirits low.» Could you find it in your heart to forgive her?» She's very understanding - you feel you can really open your heart to her.» What he said struck terror in my heart .» When I said I loved you, I meant it from the bottom of my heart.noun [C] (ORGAN)
► A2 the organ in your chest that sends the blood around your body: » He's got a weak/bad heart (= his heart is not healthy).» Isabel's heart was beating fast with fright.See picture: human heart Thesaurus+: ↑The circulatory system and blood
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Extra Examples:» The teacher drew a diagram showing how the blood flows through the heart.» Small amounts of alcohol are held to be good for the heart.» The bullet missed his heart by a couple of centimetres.» I could feel my heart pounding as I went on stage to collect the prize.noun [C] (SHAPE)
► B2 a shape, consisting of two half circles next to each other at the top and a V shape at the bottom, often coloured pink or red and used to represent loveSee picture: valentine card (with heart) Thesaurus+: ↑Geometrical shapes , ↑Spherical, circular and annular objects
noun [U] (COURAGE)
► C2 courage or determination or hope: » You're doing really well - don't lose heart now.» Take heart - things can only get better.Thesaurus+: ↑BraveryThesaurus+: ↑Hoping and hopefulness , ↑PotentialThesaurus+: ↑Strength of will and determinationverb [T] INFORMAL MAINLY HUMOROUS
► F0 used to say that you like someone or something very much: » I heart New York.