beating

[ bee-ting ]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that beats, as to punish, clean, mix, etc.:

   Give the rug a good beating.

2. a defeat or reverse; loss; setback

   Several stocks took a beating in the market today.

3. pulsation; throbbing:

   the beating of her heart.

beating

/ ˈbiːtɪŋ /

noun

1. a whipping or thrashing, as in punishment
2. a defeat or setback
3. take some beating or take a lot of beating
   to be difficult to improve upon

Word History and Origins

Origin of beating¹

First recorded in 1200–50; from Middle English betynge; beat, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

In July, Cavendish won a record-breaking 35th stage of the Tour de France, beating Eddy Merckx's total.

From BBC

Cavendish was famed during his career for beating younger and stronger riders to the line based on the timing of his attacks and how long he could hold on to high levels of power.

From BBC

By beating incumbent Kevin de León for a City Council seat that stretches from downtown through Boyle Heights and up to Eagle Rock, the 34-year-old sustained the political earthquake she first unleashed in March, when she finished ahead of him and two Latino Assembly members in the primary.

From Los Angeles Times

The environment around England's last camp - when they lost to Greece at Wembley before beating Finland in Helsinki - was chaotic and unsatisfactory, with mixed messaging from Carsley when he appeared to question his own credentials for the job, then insisted he was not ruling himself out of the running only for the FA to reveal at Tuchel's Wembley unveiling that he had signed on the dotted line two days before the debacle against the side they face in Athens on Wednesday.

From BBC

Gatland's side have not tasted international success since beating World Cup pool stage opponents Georgia in October 2023 and have slipped to a lowest position of 11th in World Rugby's rankings.

From BBC

Related Words

• defeat
• drubbing
• slaughter
• whipping