hoofbeat

[ hoof-beet, hoof- ]

noun

1. the sound made by an animal's hoof in walking, running, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoofbeat¹

First recorded in 1840–50; hoof + beat

Example Sentences

Lucky for Booth, instead of turning into the thicket, the troops remained on the road, passed the thicket, and rode until the sound of hoofbeats vanished in the distance.

From Literature

We were too far away to hear their hoofbeats, but as they surged down the track, I thought I could feel the resounding force resonating through my bones.

From Literature

For example, in the rhyme “Banbury Cross,” the patsching eighth notes in measures 3 and 4 could be mimicking the hoofbeats of the horse.

From Literature

She was just thinking how odd it was that there was no one else in the woods when she felt a shaking on the ground and heard hoofbeats in the distance.

From Literature

There is no thundering of hoofbeats, no racing to catch and punish us.

From Literature