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

Gage Garrison, 19, was charged earlier this year in beatings at a house party and a parking garage, which occurred within two weeks of each other in December 2022. —Elena Santa Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 28 Sep. 2024

Rodney King’s beating, the resulting riots, California’s death penalty and even O.J. Simpson’s arrest and acquittal all swirled around the brothers’ time in the spotlight. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 Sep. 2024

That said, heart palpitations are the general awareness of one's heart beating. —Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 19 Sep. 2024

The three men, along with two other former Memphis officers, Demetrius Haley and Desmond Mills, have been indicted for their role in the violent beating of Nichols following a traffic stop on Jan. 7, 2023. —Muri Assuncao, The Mercury News, 18 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