noun
-
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.
A larger-than-average number of companies are beating expectations and by a wider margin than usual.
From Barron's • May 23, 2026
Just saying it once feels like I’m beating a dead horse.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026
The promise of an “internet for niche communities” and “the empowered independent creator” has been taking a beating as the web has become less open and increasingly dominated by a few platforms and players.
From Slate • May 22, 2026
The Black Cats come into this game off the back of beating Everton away and another win here would secure a top-10 finish and, possibly, European football.
From BBC • May 22, 2026
In the firelight, Torak saw the pulse beating in his throat.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
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.
