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

This fight could be a one-sided beating in favor of Canelo, but Berlanga's power may be his only chance to pull off the major upset. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024

More than two dozen arrests have been made in connection with Goons beatings since Lord was fatally attacked in Queen Creek at a Halloween party last year. —Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 10 Sep. 2024

Clad in an array of colors representing different local units, with high school band drums beating and politicians poised to speak, the annual Labor Day parade returned to the city as much a show of solidarity for unions as a rallying call for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. —Darcie Moran, Detroit Free Press, 2 Sep. 2024

Heart failure is not, however, the same thing as cardiac arrest, which is when the heart stops—arrests—its beating altogether. —Lori Oliwenstein, TIME, 12 Sep. 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