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

The theme of the team meeting Monday, Foster said, was for the Bruins to stop beating themselves with penalties and other mistakes.

From Los Angeles Times

The driver gets out of the other side of the vehicle and is then seized by bystanders who start beating him with sticks.

From BBC

The Bills have no problems beating the Chiefs in the regular season but will they finally win in the play-offs?

From BBC

It was a little scary, he said, but the fun part was beating Big Bear 28-21 despite a snow storm in the second half.

From Los Angeles Times

There was jubilation after the Poppies humiliated local rivals - League One's Northampton Town - in the first round, beating the Cobblers 2-1 at Sixfields.

From BBC

Related Words

• defeat
• drubbing
• slaughter
• whipping