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.
That included the two Martinez men and Joseph Hernandez, who did not participate in the beating but was characterized as a lookout who warded off attention from other inmates while the attack was underway. Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 19 May 2026 In addition, tethered live moths were used to analyze the faint acoustic signature of insect wing beating. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 May 2026 As Paul came in to put a beating on Rollins, Dawkins came out to make a save. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026 And then there were the beatings. Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, New Yorker, 18 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beating. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on beating

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster