1 beating | Definition of beating
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

beating

noun
beat·​ing | \ ˈbē-tiƋ How to pronounce beating (audio) \

Definition of beating

1 : an act of striking with repeated blows so as to injure or damage also : the injury or damage thus inflicted
2 : pulsation
3 : defeat, setback
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about beating

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of beating in a Sentence

he wears a pacemaker to help maintain a regular beating of his heart took a beating and ended up in second place

Recent Examples on the Web

 The rape case happened two weeks after the beating death of Eucebia Garcia Gutierrez, who was in Cleveland for the summer visiting her family. — Adam Ferrise, cleveland.com, "Prosecutors: Man raped disabled Cleveland girl during home invasion weeks after beating 94-year-old woman to death," 29 Aug. 2019 Since his arrival in the NFL in 2012 (as the top draft pick despite his return his senior year, a vindication of trusting his instincts), that body and brain have taken a beating. — Ann Killion, SFChronicle.com, "Don’t boo Andrew Luck: The man has perspective," 26 Aug. 2019 The circumstances around him choking Maddy are uncovered, as are his terrifying actions at Chris McKay’s (Algee Smith) party in the premiere (his near-death beating of Tyler is still a secret). — Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, "Thinking Through Euphoria Season 1, Episode 5: “'03 Bonnie and Clyde”," 15 July 2019 Investigators are looking for other suspects in the beating and have not connected Thomas to Booker’s murder. — NBC News, "Murders of black transgender women in Dallas raise fears in LGBTQ community," 10 June 2019 Lopez is accused in the brutal beating death of Jose Luis Menchaca in September 2014. — Elizabeth Zavala, San Antonio Express-News, "Final arguments readied in beating, dismemberment case," 1 June 2018 These theories failed to liberate Jonathan, however, and the beatings continued. — Larissa Macfarquhar, The New Yorker, "The Radical Transformations of a Battered Women’s Shelter," 13 Aug. 2019 The lawsuit said Detective Randy Hicks began punching Black in the face and head when no drugs were found, while the patrol officer held Black upright so Hicks could continue the beating. — Washington Post, "Manhunt for escaped inmate drags on," 11 Aug. 2019 The performance was so over-the-top that his father had to cut short the faux beating. — Tom Verducci, SI.com, "The Hard, Historic Roads That Lead to Baseball's Magic Number: .400," 8 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'beating.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of beating

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for beating

Middle English betynge, from gerund of beten "to beat entry 1"

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for beating

beating

noun
How to pronounce beating (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of beating

: the act of repeatedly hitting someone to cause pain or injury : the act of beating someone

See the full definition for beating in the English Language Learners Dictionary

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on beating

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with beating

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for beating

Spanish Central: Translation of beating

Nglish: Translation of beating for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of beating for Arabic Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!