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

See Examples For:

beatboxing

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

As drums vanished, the beat leaped into the body and became tap dance, hip-hop, beatboxing.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 4, 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

Biz Markie, 57, a hip-hop staple known for his beatboxing prowess, turntable mastery and the 1989 classic “Just a Friend,” died July 16 with his wife by his side.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 23, 2021

Some kids stood in a little circle out back, beatboxing and freestyling, inventing brand-new ways of putting one another down and sending up wild cheers when a dig found its mark.

From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older