beating

noun

beat·​ing ˈbē-tiŋ 

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

• beat
• palpitation
• pulsation
• pulse
• throb

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

Meanwhile, New York was Jekyll and Hyde all year, taking really bad losses to Columbus and Utah but also taking big-time wins like their 3-1 beating of St Louis in MLP DC. —Todd Boss, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

The indictment alleges Combs coerced and abused women for years, with the help of a network of associates and employees, while using blackmail and violent acts including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings to keep victims from speaking out. —CBS News, 16 Oct. 2024

For the 26-year-old Australian nurse, the barbaric beating and gang rape on the night of Feb. 2, 1986, that left her dead in a rural field with her throat slashed was the stuff of nightmares. —Kc Baker, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024

From the ground are heard the attendant booms, the wail of air raid sirens, and the beating of footsteps running to shelter. —Dina Kraft, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2024

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

Phrases Containing beating

• beating reed
• breast-beating
• take a beating
• take some beating
• world-beating