licking

noun lick·ing \ ˈli-kiŋ \

Updated on: 29 Mar 2018

Definition of licking

1 : a sound thrashing : drubbing

2 : defeat

See licking defined for English-language learners

Examples of licking in a Sentence

His father threatened to give him a licking if he didn't stop misbehaving.
our team took a licking last night, but we'll get them next time

Recent Examples of licking from the Web

Tough Trocheck takes a licking and keeps on dishing.

— walter villa, miamiherald, "The Panthers’ home winning streak may be over, but the playoff chase is alive and well | Miami Herald," 12 Mar. 2018
Rhonda A: Cats are fastidious groomers, but excessive licking and the resulting alopecia is often a symptom of another problem that needs to be addressed.

— cathy m. rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, "The top signs your dog is stressed," 5 Jan. 2018
Moreover, there’s evidence that this licking isn’t an island thing exclusively: Deer are occasionally spotted giving tongue baths to cats, at least, in mainland backyards.

— paul bisceglio, The Atlantic, "Why Is This Deer Licking This Fox?," 23 Oct. 2017
His incessant, anxious licking had created lesions.

— steve meyer, Alaska Dispatch News, "Missing our dear Labrador, Gunner," 20 Sep. 2017
FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has taken a licking in the press for his recent hiding place among bushes on the presidential grounds -- apparently to avoid questions after James Comey's dismissal.

— brooke tarnoff, Billboard, "Watch Melissa McCarthy Take Her Spicer Impression to the Streets on 'SNL'," 14 May 2017
Hoying takes a licking — Center fielder Jared Hoying made a great catch before crashing into the wall in the fifth inning Saturday.

— stefan stevenson, star-telegram.com, "Rangers reaction remains flummoxed by streaky club," 27 May 2017
FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has taken a licking in the press for his recent hiding place among bushes on the presidential grounds -- apparently to avoid questions after James Comey's dismissal.

— brooke tarnoff, Billboard, "Watch Melissa McCarthy Take Her Spicer Impression to the Streets on 'SNL'," 14 May 2017
A group of canine-crazy residents says an agreement is forthcoming from Jefferson County Open Space to keep open part of the Elk Meadow dog park that had been under threat of closure as poop piled up and the landscape took a licking.

— john aguilar, The Denver Post, "Evergreen dog park that was in deep doo-doo gets a do-over," 1 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'licking.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.