beating

[bee-ting]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that beats, as to punish, clean, mix, etc..

   Give the rug a good beating.

2. a defeat or reverse; loss; setback

   Several stocks took a beating in the market today.

3. pulsation; throbbing.

   the beating of her heart.

beating

/ ˈbiːtɪŋ /

noun

1. a whipping or thrashing, as in punishment

2. a defeat or setback

3. to be difficult to improve upon

Word History and Origins

Origin of beating¹

First recorded in 1200–50; from Middle English betynge; beat, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

But what should concern him isn’t the Republicans who no longer like him or the Democrats who have trouble beating him.

From Salon

Mary Roy turned much of her fury on her son, once beating him until a wooden ruler broke, punishment for being merely "average" while his sister excelled in school.

From BBC

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has relieved three deputies of duty while it investigates the circumstances of the bloody beating of a Valencia man outside a Santa Clarita bar last year.

From Los Angeles Times

In the heart of the Midwest, just across the river from Canada, Detroit has long been the beating heart of American automobile manufacturing.

From Salon

Slegers enjoyed huge success and was appointed on a permanent basis before the team sealed European glory by beating Barcelona in Lisbon.

From BBC

Related Words

• defeat 
• drubbing 
• slaughter 
• whipping