Beat Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ฅ
beat
[biหt ]
Definitions
rhythm
To strike or hit repeatedly, typically with a hand or an object.
Synonyms
batter, hit, pound, strike, thump.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| 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.
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| 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.
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| hit |
A general term for striking something or someone, often implying a single action. It can be used in both physical and metaphorical senses.
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| pound |
Conveys hitting something hard and repeatedly, often with a lot of force. It can be associated with both physical and emotional intensity.
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| batter |
Implies hitting something repeatedly and violently, often with an intention to cause damage. This word usually has a negative connotation.
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| thump |
Describes hitting something heavily, often producing a dull sound. It is often used to imply a sudden, forceful impact.
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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.
music
A main accent or rhythmic unit in music or poetry.
Synonyms
cadence, pulse, rhythm, tempo.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| beat |
Used as a verb, 'beat' can indicate defeating someone in a competition or hitting something repeatedly.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| cadence |
Refers to the rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words. It is often used in relation to speech, poetry, or music.
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Examples of usage
- The song had a catchy beat.
- She danced to the beat of the music.
- He clapped along with the beat.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
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.
Origin of 'beat'
Main points about word origin
- 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.
The word 'beat' originated from Old English 'beatan' which means to strike. Over time, it evolved to encompass various meanings related to striking or hitting. In the context of music, 'beat' refers to the rhythm or tempo. The word has a long history of usage in both literal and metaphorical senses.
See also: backbeat, beatable, beaten, beater, beating, downbeat, offbeat, unbeatability, unbeatable, upbeat.