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 of beating

• pulse
• throb
• beat

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

Niall Horan and his girlfriend Amelia Woolley coordinated in heat-beating attire. — Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Back in their dorm room after the beating, Valentine watched as Okeadu began to tremble uncontrollably. — ABC News, 30 June 2026

But if the stock market rally that powers the divide fizzles out, the economy could take a significant beating. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 June 2026

Prosecutors allege that six of Arnold’s associates actually carried out the crimes, holding, beating and pistol-whipping the victims, and that Arnold wasn’t there at the time. — John Hanna, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026

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

Rhymes for beating

• bleating
• cheating
• eating
• fleeting
• greeting
• heating
• meeting
• seating
• sheeting
• sweeting
• treating
• accreting