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beating

noun

beat·​ing ˈbē-tiŋ How to pronounce beating (audio)
Synonyms of beatingnext
1
: an act of striking with repeated blows so as to injure or damage
also : the injury or damage thus inflicted
2
3

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
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.
Electrical systems have also taken beatings from flooding, high winds and wildfires, and companies often need to invest more to try to make systems more resilient to future storms. Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 4 Dec. 2025 Podziemski's buzzer-beating 3 at the end of the third pulled the Warriors within 91-88. CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025 Outside of tech, there was notable strength in the financials, a result of the November ADP report showing a decline in private sector employment, and ISM services data beating, with the prices Index falling to its lowest reading since April 2025. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2025 According to the filing, Apple’s suppliers engage in forced and child labor, and beatings of workers. Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beating

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of beating was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beating. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.

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