licking

noun

lick·​ing ˈli-kiŋ 

1

: a sound thrashing : drubbing

2

: defeat

Synonyms

• beating
• defeat
• drubbing
• loss
• lump
• overthrow
• plastering
• rout
• shellacking
• trimming
• trouncing
• whipping

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 on the Web

The lips don’t have the same concentration of oil glands as other areas of the skin and are constantly exposed to environmental factors, such as lip licking, cosmetics, and cold weather. —Isadora Baum, Allure, 19 Nov. 2024

Best Buy has an unbeatable deal on a sturdy Bluetooth speaker that can take a licking and keep on rocking. —K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 1 Nov. 2024

The Dogs Trust highlights that signs of discomfort in dogs can include stiff body language, lip licking, or yawning as a way to calm themselves. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024

Excessive scratching and/or licking are among the first signs of allergies, according to the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital. —Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 21 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Geographical Definition

Licking

geographical name

Lick·​ing ˈli-kiŋ 

river 320 miles (515 kilometers) long in northeastern Kentucky flowing northwest into the Ohio River