Pounding: meaning, definitions and examples

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pounding

[ˈpaʊndɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

sound

The act of striking repeatedly with force. It can also refer to a throbbing or pulsating sensation, often related to pain.

Synonyms

beating, pulsing, thumping.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pounding	Often used to describe a repetitive and forceful striking, hitting, or feeling, like a heartbeat or rain. It can be used to describe strong emotions or physical sensations. My head was pounding after the loud concert. The rain was pounding on the roof all night.
beating	Incorrect repetition of previous word.
thumping	Describes a heavy and loud sound, often from something large and solid hitting a surface, or a strong heartbeat. It can also imply heavy footsteps or movements. The car made a loud thumping noise as it hit the bump. He felt his heart thumping in his chest with fear.
pulsing	Used to describe a rhythmic throbbing or regularly occurring sensation, often associated with light, sound, or biological rhythm like a heartbeat. The music was pulsing through the speakers. She could feel the blood pulsing in her veins.

Examples of usage

The pounding of the drums could be heard from miles away.
He felt a pounding in his head after hitting it on the door.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

food preparation

The process of crushing or grinding food into a powder or paste.

Synonyms

crushing, grinding, mashing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pounding	Pounding is typically used to describe the action of hitting something repeatedly with force. This term can be used in both physical contexts, such as pounding meat to tenderize it, or metaphorically, such as describing a headache. He was pounding the dough to make it softer. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest after the run.
crushing	Crushing involves applying pressure to break something into smaller pieces or destroy its structure. It is used in contexts where the object is reduced to pieces or severely damaged. The machine is used for crushing rocks into gravel. News of the scandal was crushing for the company's reputation.
grinding	Grinding refers to the process of reducing something to small particles or powder by rubbing it between two surfaces. This term is often used for food preparation or describing continuous work. He spent the afternoon grinding coffee beans. She was grinding away at her studies, hoping to pass the exam.
mashing	Mashing is commonly used to describe the process of pressing or squashing food into a soft, pulpy consistency. It's particularly used in cooking, like making mashed potatoes. He spent the morning mashing boiled potatoes for dinner. The brewer began mashing the malt for the beer production.

Examples of usage

The recipe calls for the pounding of spices in a mortar and pestle.
She could hear the pounding of garlic in the kitchen.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

action

To strike repeatedly with force.

Synonyms

beat, hammer, strike.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pounding	This word is best used when describing a repetitive and heavy hitting motion, often associated with something making a continuous loud noise. It can also describe a strong sensation, like a heartbeat. The rain was pounding against the windows. His heart was pounding with excitement.
beat	This word is versatile and can be used to describe rhythmic hitting motions, a routine pattern, or even defeating someone in a competition. Be cautious, though, as it can imply violence in certain contexts. He beat the drum in time with the music. She beat her opponent in the final game. The workers beat the metal into shape.
strike	This word is appropriate for describing a single, sharp hit or blow. It can also be used in varied scenarios like sports, labor actions (like a workers' strike), or even something suddenly affecting or occurring. He took a strike at the baseball. The workers decided to go on strike. Lightning is likely to strike the tallest buildings.
hammer	Use this word when you want to describe hitting something repeatedly, especially with a tool. It can also metaphorically describe strongly emphasizing a point or action. He hammered the nails into the wood. The lawyer hammered away at the witness with tough questions.

Examples of usage

He was pounding on the door, trying to get someone's attention.
She pounded the dough to make it smooth.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'pound' comes from the Old English 'pund', which means to beat or strike.
In various languages, similar words for 'pound' often relate to striking, such as 'battre' in French, which means to beat.
In ancient times, pounding was used in agriculture, specifically to process grains and make them edible.

Science

When the heart pounds, it indicates that it is working hard, often due to exercise, stress, or excitement.
The sound of pounding can create vibrations that can be measured in waves, similar to the ripples created by throwing a stone into a pond.
In the animal kingdom, some species use a pounding sound as a form of communication, like certain birds during mating rituals.

Pop Culture

In music, the term 'pounding' is often associated with electronic dance music, where beats have intense, driving rhythms.
The popular phrase 'pounding the pavement' refers to walking or running, especially in a busy city setting, often to signify hard work or effort.
Pounding is a common theme in action movies, often depicting fight scenes where characters are hitting or being hit.

Literature

In poetry, 'pounding' can symbolize emotional intensity, reflecting feelings like anger, love, or passion through vivid imagery.
Many authors use pounding sounds or motifs to set the tone – for example, a heartbeat in thrillers to build suspense.
The rhythm of words on a page can resemble a pounding beat, creating a sense of urgency or excitement in prose.

Psychology

Pounding in your chest due to anxiety or fear is a physical reaction tied to the fight-or-flight response.
This sensation can influence a person's emotional state, often heightening feelings of distress or exhilaration.
The concept of rhythm in pounding might relate to how humans feel comfort in predictable patterns, such as a steady heartbeat.

Translations

Translations of the word "pounding" in other languages:

🇵🇹 batendo

martelando
pulsando

🇮🇳 पीटना

ठोकना
धड़कना

🇩🇪 hämmern

schlagen
pochen

🇮🇩 memukul

mengetuk
berdebar

🇺🇦 бити

стукати
пульсувати

🇵🇱 uderzanie

bicie
pulsowanie

🇯🇵 叩く

打つ
鼓動する

🇫🇷 martèlement

frapper
battre

🇪🇸 golpeo

martilleo
palpitación

🇹🇷 çakma

vurma
çarpma

🇰🇷 두드리기

치기
울림

🇸🇦 ضرب

طرق
نبض

🇨🇿 bušení

tlukot
pulsování

🇸🇰 búchanie

tlkot
pulzovanie

🇨🇳 敲打

捶打
跳动

🇸🇮 tolčenje

udarjanje
utripanje

🇮🇸 berja

hammar
slá

🇰🇿 ұру

соғу
дүрсілдеу

🇬🇪 დარტყმა

ჩაქუჩი
ფეთქვა

🇦🇿 döymək

çəkic vurmaq
döyüntü

🇲🇽 golpeteo

martilleo
palpitación

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,094, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
11091 childish
11092 poisoned
11093 fumes
11094 pounding
11095 tying
11096 nostrils
11097 plough
...