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.
Just before the beating begins, the camera leaves the boy’s perspective and moves behind him; viewers see the back of his head and shoulders. Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Feb. 2025 Former President Biden took a public beating from Trump and his supporters after it was revealed Biden's son and brother profited off his name and actions. Axios, 19 Feb. 2025 The body cameras were new partners at the Marcy prison, introduced just eight months before the beating. Thomas C. Zambito, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025 Who is responsible for drawing up the game plan for a beating like that? Pat Leonard, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Feb. 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 3 Mar. 2025.

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