Beating Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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beating

[หˆbiหtษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

sports

An act of striking repeatedly with a forceful blow.

Synonyms

drubbing, pummeling, thrashing.

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Word Description / Examples
beating

Commonly used to describe a physical or metaphorical act of hitting or defeating someone or something. It can be used in both serious and lighthearted contexts.

  • He took a beating in that boxing match.
  • The company took a beating in the stock market.
thrashing

Similar to 'drubbing', this word often describes a severe defeat or beating. It carries a more violent and impactful connotation, sometimes used to describe intense physical punishment or competition loss.

  • Our team got a thrashing in the final match.
  • He received a thrashing for breaking the rules.
drubbing

Usually used to describe a one-sided and overwhelming defeat, often in sports or competitions. It carries a strong connotation of humiliation for the losing side.

  • Our team received a drubbing in the soccer match.
  • She gave him a drubbing in the debate.
pummeling

Implies repeated and forceful hitting, often in a physical context. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a relentless series of difficulties or challenges.

  • The boxer was pummeling his opponent with powerful punches.
  • The company has been pummeling its rivals with new innovations.

Examples of usage

  • He received a beating in the boxing match.
  • The team suffered a heavy beating in the final game.
Context #2 | Noun

informal

A punishment or physical assault.

Synonyms

assault, battering, punishment.

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Word Description / Examples
beating

Used to describe a situation where someone is hit repeatedly, often violently. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a severe defeat or criticism.

  • The boxer received a severe beating in the ring.
  • The team took a beating in yesterday's match.
punishment

Describes an action taken to penalize someone for a wrongdoing or offense. It can range from physical punishment to other forms like fines or imprisonment.

  • The child was given a punishment for breaking the rules.
  • He faced severe punishment for his crimes.
assault

Refers to a violent physical attack on someone. It is often used in legal contexts to describe a serious crime.

  • He was arrested for assault after hitting the man.
  • The police are investigating the assault that took place last night.
battering

Implies repeated violent blows, often implying a severe and prolonged attack. It can also describe the harsh treatment in abusive relationships.

  • The victim suffered a battering from the gang.
  • She filed a report against her partner for repeated battering.

Examples of usage

  • The criminal got a beating for his wrongdoing.
  • He gave me a beating for breaking the vase.
Context #3 | Noun

music

The steady or rhythmic sound made by striking a drum or other percussion instrument.

Synonyms

drumming, percussion, rhythm.

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Word Description / Examples
beating

This word is most often used to describe a repeated striking or hitting action. It can be used both literally, such as in describing physical violence, or metaphorically, such as in sports or competition.

  • He received a severe beating from the attackers.
  • The team took a real beating in their last game.
percussion

This word is used in a musical context and refers to instruments that produce sound by being struck, such as drums, cymbals, or xylophones.

  • She is learning to play various percussion instruments.
  • The percussion section adds rhythm and energy to the orchestra.
drumming

This word specifically refers to playing a drum or a repeated noise like that of a drum. It can also be used to describe sound effects that mimic drumming noises.

  • He spent the evening drumming on his set.
  • The rain was drumming on the roof.
rhythm

This word refers to the pattern of sounds and silences in music, speech, or movements. It can describe the regular beat in a song or the flow of events.

  • The dancers moved in perfect rhythm.
  • He has a natural sense of rhythm in his poetry.

Examples of usage

  • The beating of the drums added to the intensity of the performance.
  • The beating of the cymbals signaled the start of the parade.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Music

  • In music, a 'beat' is a unit of time that helps musicians keep rhythm in songs.
  • Drummers often use the term 'beating' to describe the physical act of striking the drums to create sound.

Health & Biology

  • Beating can refer to the rhythmic contraction of muscles, like the heartbeat, which is essential for pumping blood through the body.
  • A steady heartbeat is crucial for maintaining a healthy circulation system.

Sports

  • In competitive sports, 'beating' an opponent means winning against them, showcasing skill or strategy.
  • Sports like boxing or martial arts often involve physical 'beatings' as part of the competition.

Literature

  • The concept of a 'beating heart' often symbolizes life and emotion in poetry and literature.
  • Authors frequently explore themes of resilience and overcoming struggles, using 'beating' as a metaphor.

Origin of 'beating'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'beating' comes from the Old English 'beatan', meaning 'to strike' or 'to hit'.
  • It has evolved in meaning over the centuries to encompass both physical impacts and rhythmic sounds.

The word 'beating' originated from the Old English word 'bฤ“atan' which means 'to strike, beat'. Over time, the meaning of the word evolved to include various contexts such as sports, informal punishment, and music. The term is commonly used to describe a forceful blow or rhythmic sound made by striking. 'Beating' has been a part of the English language for centuries, adapting to different uses and meanings.


See also: backbeat, beat, beatable, beaten, beater, downbeat, offbeat, unbeatability, unbeatable, upbeat.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,219 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.