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beatto hit repeatedly; to defeat in a competition

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to hit repeatedly; to defeat in a competition

Pronunciation (IPA): /biːt/

Example Sentences

  • My heart beats faster when I see my crush at school.
  • She beat me at chess again - I'm officially terrible at this game!
  • The police officer walked his beat every night.

beat

VERB

[/biːt/]

to hit repeatedly; to defeat in a competition

He beats the drum hard — the surface dents and the sound explodes outward.
💡 Concept

He beats the drum hard — the surface dents and the sound explodes outward.

Beat the bag in scorching heat, with dancing feet!
🎵 Rhyme

Beat the bag in scorching heat, with dancing feet!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/biːt/
🇬🇧 UK/biːt/

🌳Etymology

Rootbeat

Origin

The word derives from Old English 'beatan', meaning 'to strike or hit'. Originating from Proto-Germanic roots shared across the Germanic language family, the term evolved over time to encompass extended meanings including 'to defeat' and 'rhythmic pulse or tempo'.

Breakdown

beatan (Old English: to strike) + -en (infinitive suffix) → beat. The root carries the fundamental sense of percussion or impact, which later extended metaphorically to mean overcoming or establishing rhythm.

🎵Rhyme

neatseatheatfeetmeet
neat
seat
heat
feet
meet

🔗Collocations

beat the clock
beat around the bush
beat someone up
heart beat
beat the record
dance beat
beat down

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My heart beats faster when I see my crush at school.

😄 Fun example

She beat me at chess again - I'm officially terrible at this game!

The police officer walked his beat every night.

After studying for 12 hours straight, I'm completely beat.

😄 Fun example

Can you beat it? My little brother actually cleaned his room without being asked!

📚Related Words

Synonyms

hitstrikedefeatrhythmpulse

Antonyms

losesurrenderrest

Related

drummusicvictorycompetitionexhausted

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