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

Above a certain temperature, the system starts to work against itself; the furious beating of cilia uses up any oxygen the coral’s tissues can absorb, and then the polyps can suffocate in the less oxygenated water. — Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026

An autopsy later determined that Hedgepeth died after a severe beating to the head, according to NBC News. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026

Michael, who would later split from his father’s control, accused him of severe childhood emotional and physical abuse, including beatings with iron cords. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026

Former child soldiers describe being abducted by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, shackled and ordered to fire on warplanes and civilians, under threat of beatings or death. — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 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