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.

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beatboxing British  

/ ˈbiːtˌbɒksɪŋ /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• beatboxer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of beatboxing

1985–90, beatbox (verb) + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

You start the special by playing with the audience and getting people loose by showing off your beatboxing skills.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2025

“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

As “Rapper’s Delight” gained momentum in 1980, Too Short gravitated more toward beatboxing.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 7, 2023

As drums vanished, the beat leaped into the body and became tap dance, hip-hop, beatboxing.

From Washington Post • Mar. 4, 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