beating

noun

beat·​ing ˈbē-tiŋ How to pronounce beating (audio)
Synonyms of beatingnext
1
: an act of striking with repeated blows so as to injure or damage
also : the injury or damage thus inflicted
2
3

Examples of beating in a Sentence

he wears a pacemaker to help maintain a regular beating of his heart took a beating and ended up in second place
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Haliburton then emulated Miller by making the same choke gesture after his bouncing, buzzer-beating long 2-pointer forced overtime in Game 1 of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals — a game, and series, the Pacers would go on to win. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026 James Ernest Hitchcock, 70, is scheduled to received a lethal injection for his conviction in the fatal beating and choking of his 13-year-old niece. David Fischer, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026 The new report also tracked an increase in antisemitic attacks that resulted in physical harm, including beatings and stone throwing. ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026 Chicago police and Cook County Crime Stoppers are searching for the three men and a woman pictured above in connection with the deadly beating of a man in Avondale on March 25. Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beating

Word History

Etymology

Middle English betynge, from gerund of beten "to beat entry 1"

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of beating was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Beating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/beating. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

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