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

Police interviewed other witnesses, including a neighbor, who overheard the beating. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 23 June 2026

As part of the plea deal struck last month, Alameda County prosecutors agreed to dismiss two other cases Hurd racked up while behind bars, including assault charges stemming from the brutal beating and stabbing of another Santa Rita Jail inmate. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 23 June 2026

Micron took the biggest beating, however, mostly over nervousness ahead of the company's results expected on Wednesday. —John Ruwitch, NPR, 23 June 2026

The Owls went 35-4 during their dream season in 2022-23, which ended with a 72-71 loss to San Diego State in the national semifinals when Lamont Butler hit a buzzer-beating shot for the Aztecs. —Schuyler Dixon, Chicago Tribune, 22 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