: a steady pronounced rhythm stressing the second and fourth beats of a four-beat measure
Examples of backbeat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Working with longtime partner bassist Robbie Shakespeare (who died in 2021), Dunbar was one half of the dynamic duo that provided the thrumming backbeat to reggae classics from the likes of Black Uhuru, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Bunny Wailer, Gregory Isaacs and countless others.
—
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2026
Sly Dunbar, the legendary Jamaican drummer who helped steer reggae‘s modern evolution while providing the backbeat to countless recordings, has died.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2026
Buzzing melodies of alt-rock drift over midtown and in the places in between—licks, backbeats and inspirations are traded by musicians and producers bar for bar.
—Joe Sills, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
But this year’s celebrations are soundtracked to a jarring backbeat as the country strains under economic pressure, insecurity and the biggest buzzkill of all — a government trying to cash in on the cool.
—Vanessa Offiong, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbeat
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.
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2026
Sly Dunbar, the legendary Jamaican drummer who helped steer reggae‘s modern evolution while providing the backbeat to countless recordings, has died.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2026
Buzzing melodies of alt-rock drift over midtown and in the places in between—licks, backbeats and inspirations are traded by musicians and producers bar for bar.
—Joe Sills, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
But this year’s celebrations are soundtracked to a jarring backbeat as the country strains under economic pressure, insecurity and the biggest buzzkill of all — a government trying to cash in on the cool.
—Vanessa Offiong, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbeat
Cite this Entry
“Backbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backbeat. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
backbeat
noun
back·beat
-ˌbēt 
: a steady pronounced rhythm stressing the second and fourth beats of a four-beat measure
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
