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.
In the 2024 incident, video showed Perry holding the leash of a dog similar to the one seen biting Henderson in surveillance footage of the fatal beating last month. James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2026 Watching Nate slowly meet consequences in beatings from mobsters, while Cassie could barely muster concern, was Levinson succeeding at gallows humor. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 June 2026 Police stopped the violence there that night, but more racist beatings and looting erupted downtown. USA Today, 2 June 2026 Between crowded commutes, blinding screens, and the endless tap-tap-tapping on smartphone glass, our senses are constantly taking a beating. Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 29 May 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Beating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beating. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.

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