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 gongs have continued, with Ateez winning the 2025 K-pop artist of the year prize at the iHeartRadio Music Awards - beating notable names including BTS' Jimin, Blackpink's Lisa, Aespa and Enhyphen.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
It is less than three years since West Ham lifted a European trophy in Prague, beating Fiorentina 2-1 in the Europa Conference League final.
From BBC • May 17, 2026
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The beating heart of Kentucky’s bourbon country sits inside a towering building that bills itself as “The Hardest Working Still in America” in large white letters.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026
World No. 2 Kunlavut, 25, won last year's Thailand Open, beating Antonsen in the final.
From Barron's • May 17, 2026
I jotted the story down fast, as rain began beating against the windows of the sagging shack.
From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney
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.
