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

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.
Jurors saw photographs of other beatings Ventura endured and heard testimony from witnesses who testified under the pseudonyms Mia and Jane Doe about other instances of Combs’ violence. Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025 In 2024, the mom was seen on a video beating on the dad who she’s now accused of killing, but the charges were dropped. Miami Herald, 29 July 2025 The alleged beatings began as soon as the Venezuelans arrived in El Salvador, Yamarte Fernandez said. Laura Romero, ABC News, 25 July 2025 The inmates agreed to end the strike in exchange for an assurance that the beatings would stop. Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 24 July 2025 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 5 Aug. 2025.

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