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

At the end of the fifth group, one girl’s face blossomed into a radiant flower, and another drew herself with luxuriant pigtails, standing beneath a bright red beating heart. — James Gordon, Time, 14 July 2026

Complaints about poor conditions were often ignored or met with violence, including late-night beatings and pepper spray, detainees said. — Churchill Ndonwie, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2026

Though lasting only a minute, the beating had far-reaching consequences. — Paul Quigley, The Conversation, 13 July 2026

The catch hits the bottom of their boat with a resounding smack, followed by the inconsistent beating of numerous animals thrashing due to the lack of water. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 11 July 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