noun
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a whipping or thrashing, as in punishment
-
a defeat or setback
-
to be difficult to improve upon
Etymology
Origin of beating
First recorded in 1200–50; from Middle English betynge; see beat, -ing 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The U.S. added 172,000 jobs in May, the Labor Department said Friday, beating expectations.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
Barron’s argued last week that chip stocks’ stellar gains wouldn’t last much longer—but the sector’s highest-quality names will carry on beating the market.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
Spurs secured Premier League survival on the final day of the season by beating Everton under new manager Roberto de Zerbi.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
“The answers are all around us. The challenge for us as a state is to learn from educators in the local community about what is beating the odds and then take those practices to scale.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026
Jack’s heart began beating at a normal speed again, and he tried covering his deeply red face.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
