beatboxing

American  

[beet-bok-sing] / ˈbitˌbɒk sɪŋ /

noun

1. a musical style or technique, especially in hip-hop, in which the sounds and rhythms of percussion instruments or a drum machine are simulated by using the mouth and voice.

   We heard some amazing beatboxing last night.

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beatboxing British  

/ ˈbiːtˌbɒksɪŋ /

noun

1. a form of hip-hop music in which the voice is used to simulate percussion instruments

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Other Word Forms

• beatboxer noun

Etymology

Origin of beatboxing

1985–90, beatbox (verb) + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

You start the special by playing with the audience and getting people loose by showing off your beatboxing skills.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2025

In fact, all his communication is done through beatboxing, a conceit that might work better if there weren’t a traumatic backstory attached to it.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 5, 2023

Now, One Great Vegan is a fully fledged collaboration with a producer that features Reyes singing and dancing on camera and Anderson beatboxing in the background.

From Washington Post • Dec. 7, 2022

Shlomo, from Fleet, Hampshire, is now drawing on his experience with a show for families, most recently staged in Sussex and Kent, showing how beatboxing can help with children's mental health.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2022

In the open, dusty area between wrecked car mountains, Rutilio executed an off-kilter pirouette in time to his own breathy beatboxing.

From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older