beatboxing

American  

[beet-bok-sing] / ˈbitˌbɒk sɪŋ /

noun

1. a musical style or technique, especially in hip-hop, in which the sounds and rhythms of percussion instruments or a drum machine are simulated by using the mouth and voice.

   We heard some amazing beatboxing last night.

---

beatboxing British  

/ ˈbiːtˌbɒksɪŋ /

noun

1. a form of hip-hop music in which the voice is used to simulate percussion instruments

---

Other Word Forms

• beatboxer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of beatboxing

1985–90, beatbox (verb) + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

“Drop” opens up with bare-bones looped beatboxing before threading in dramatic melody upon layers of synth and howled refrains.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2025

Carter made use of the club’s subwoofers with his flashlight, putting his humorously sharp beatboxing party starter skills on display to test the limits of the Kookaburra’s sound system.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2024

He left behind an incredible legacy, celebrated for his beatboxing prowess, turntable mastery and the 1989 classic “Just a Friend.”

From Seattle Times • Dec. 20, 2023

Shlomo, from Fleet, Hampshire, is now drawing on his experience with a show for families, most recently staged in Sussex and Kent, showing how beatboxing can help with children's mental health.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2022

When he does stuff like this, rapping and beatboxing in the middle of a busy hall just to make me smile, I forget about those looks too.

From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas