licking

play

noun lick·ing \ ˈli-kiŋ \

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

But left-leaning wound licking is but one of multiple sources of stress pushing Hollywood through gym doors.

— peter kiefer, The Hollywood Reporter, "Boxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: How "Aggro" Workouts Became the Rage in Hollywood," 30 June 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
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
So a dog's sloppy licking could be just a way of figuring you out.

— National Geographic, "Why Cats Poop on Your Bed and Other Odd Pet Behaviors," 17 Dec. 2016
Made from stainless steel with silicone rubber buttons, this mouse can truly take a licking.

— wired staff, WIRED, "Fetish," 1 Apr. 1996

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.