beating

noun

beat·​ing ˈbē-tiŋ How to pronounce beating (audio)
1
: an act of striking with repeated blows so as to injure or damage
also : the injury or damage thus inflicted
2
3

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
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.
Its low-maintenance blend of fabric stands up to pets, kids, and the everyday beating that rugs take. Shalwah Evans, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025 That betrayal then cascaded to a confused arrest, beating, and questioning by Pilate, who by then anticipated rioting. Lynne Silva-Breen, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 Her office released several videos from the four officers' cameras that captured the beating. Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025 Read Next National Prison guard beatings of women are ‘rampant,’ experts say. Julia Marnin, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for beating 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of beating was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near beating

Cite this Entry

“Beating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beating. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

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