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Beat: meaning, definitions and examples

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beat

 

[biːt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

rhythm

To strike or hit repeatedly, typically with a hand or an object.

Synonyms

batter, hit, pound, strike, thump.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
beat

Used to describe hitting something repeatedly, often to a rhythm or pattern, and can pertain to both physical and abstract contexts.

  • He beat the drum with a consistent rhythm
  • She beat her previous high score in the game
strike

Means to hit something or someone deliberately with force, often in a planned or impactful manner. It can also be used in the context of thoughts or inspirations suddenly occurring.

  • The clock struck midnight
  • The workers decided to strike for better conditions
hit

A general term for striking something or someone, often implying a single action. It can be used in both physical and metaphorical senses.

  • He hit the ball out of the park
  • The band’s new single hit the top of the charts
pound

Conveys hitting something hard and repeatedly, often with a lot of force. It can be associated with both physical and emotional intensity.

  • He pounded the table with his fist in frustration
  • The waves pounded against the shore
batter

Implies hitting something repeatedly and violently, often with an intention to cause damage. This word usually has a negative connotation.

  • The storm battered the coastline for hours
  • The boxer battered his opponent in the ring
thump

Describes hitting something heavily, often producing a dull sound. It is often used to imply a sudden, forceful impact.

  • He thumped on the door with his fist
  • The heavy book thumped onto the table

Examples of usage

  • He beat the drum loudly.
  • She beat the eggs in a bowl.
  • The waves beat against the shore.
  • The boxer beat his opponent in the ring.
  • The rain beat against the window.
  • The heart beat faster with excitement.
Context #2 | Noun

music

A main accent or rhythmic unit in music or poetry.

Synonyms

cadence, pulse, rhythm, tempo.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
beat

Used as a verb, 'beat' can indicate defeating someone in a competition or hitting something repeatedly.

  • They managed to beat the reigning champions.
  • He beat the drum energetically.
rhythm

Indicates a regular repeated pattern of sounds or movements. It is commonly used in music and dance but can also describe any regular sequence.

  • She has a great sense of rhythm.
  • The song's rhythm made it easy to dance to.
pulse

Describes a regular beating, often used in a medical or biological context to refer to the heartbeat. It can also describe the regular rhythmic throbbing in music.

  • The doctor checked her pulse.
  • The music had a strong pulse that made everyone want to dance.
tempo

Refers to the speed at which a piece of music is played or the rate of some activity. It is largely used in musical contexts.

  • The conductor asked the orchestra to increase the tempo.
  • The fast tempo of the song was exhilarating.
cadence

Refers to the rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words. It is often used in relation to speech, poetry, or music.

  • The cadence of her voice was soothing.
  • The poem had a beautiful cadence.

Examples of usage

  • The song had a catchy beat.
  • She danced to the beat of the music.
  • He clapped along with the beat.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'beat' comes from Old English 'beatan,' meaning to strike or hit.
  • In the 14th century, 'beat' started being used to describe winning over someone in a game.
  • The term evolved to include rhythmic patterns in music, stemming from its origins in physical action.

Music

  • In music, the 'beat' is often considered the foundational pulse that keeps time and structure.
  • Different musical genres have distinct beats; for example, a waltz has a 3/4 time signature, while rock music commonly uses a 4/4 beat.
  • Innovative artists often experiment with beats, transforming traditional sounds into new genres, like hip-hop and electronic dance music.

Psychology

  • Rhythms and beats can influence our emotions, with fast beats often energizing and slow beats calming.
  • Studies show that listening to music with a strong beat can enhance focus and productivity.
  • Physical activities synchronized with a beat, like dancing or exercising, can boost mood and encourage social interaction.

Sports

  • In sports, 'beat' is used to signify winning, as in 'team A beat team B in the match.'
  • Athletes often seek to 'beat' records, pushing the boundaries of human capabilities.
  • The phrase 'beating the odds' is common, highlighting overcoming challenges against expectations.

Pop Culture

  • In pop culture, 'beat' appears often in songs, capturing themes of love, struggle, and celebration.
  • Movies and videos often use beats in their scoring to set the mood and engage the audience.
  • The term 'beat generation' refers to a group of American writers in the 1950s who embraced a countercultural lifestyle, influencing music and literature.

Translations

Translations of the word "beat" in other languages:

🇵🇹 bater

🇮🇳 पीटना

🇩🇪 schlagen

🇮🇩 memukul

🇺🇦 бити

🇵🇱 bić

🇯🇵 叩く (tataku)

🇫🇷 battre

🇪🇸 golpear

🇹🇷 dövmek

🇰🇷 때리다 (ttaerida)

🇸🇦 يضرب (yadrib)

🇨🇿 bít

🇸🇰 biť

🇨🇳 打 (dǎ)

🇸🇮 tepsti

🇮🇸 slá

🇰🇿 соққы

🇬🇪 ცემვა

🇦🇿 döymək

🇲🇽 golpear

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,351, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.