beating

noun

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

Example Sentences

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 Before the beating, Ward, Jackson, McCurtis and McCurtis’s girlfriend were hanging out and drinking at McCurtis’s home, according to a probable cause affidavit for the arrest of McCurtis and Jackson. Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 16 May 2023 For Mahato, the consequences of being labeled a witch did not end with the savage beating. Suhasini Raj, BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2023 The beatings took place as often as two or three times a week. Paulina Villegas, Washington Post, 12 May 2023 Norridge police are investigating a severe beating that sent a 78-year-old man to the hospital after three assailants came to the back door of his home April 28 and at least one attacked him behind his garage, a department spokesperson said. Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2023 His firing came after an internal investigation found that Hemphill, who tased Nichols but was not involved in the beating during his arrest, violated a number of departmental policies. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 2 May 2023 First, though, came missteps: dishing out the beating recounted at the bloody start of this tale, and a month-long cocaine bender. Matt Thompson, SPIN, 1 May 2023 The April 5 beating of a former fire commissioner took a similarly dizzying turn: Initially described as an attack by a homeless man, it’s been recast, in court, as a possible act of self-defense provoked by the commissioner allegedly spraying the man with bear deterrent. Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 29 Apr. 2023 Violent protests had erupted the previous spring after the acquittal of four police officers charged in the beating of Black motorist Rodney G. King, and unemployment was climbing. Jean Merl, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'beating.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near beating

Cite this Entry

“Beating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beating. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.

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