WordGarden.iobeat
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈiːt/
US
- /ˈbit/
Meanings
Verb
to defeat or do better than an opponent, rival, or competitor
to hit someone or something repeatedly or forcefully
to mix or whisk food vigorously
Noun
the basic pulse or rhythmic unit in music
a person's regular area of responsibility or coverage, especially in journalism or policing
Adjective
exhausted or very tired
Beyond the definition
"Beat" is a remarkably versatile word! Think of music first—the beat is the steady pulse that keeps everyone in time. But it's not just about rhythm; it's about impact. A boxer aims to beat their opponent to win, and you might beat some eggs to make a fluffy omelet or beat a path through the woods.
The word originates from an Old English root meaning "to strike," but its modern reach is much wider. You can beat the odds or even beat a serious illness. On an emotional level, if you're dwelling on a mistake, a friend might tell you, "Don't beat yourself up!" From competition to cooking, "beat" captures the essence of rhythm, action, and overcoming challenges.
The word "beat" carries a surprising amount of weight, encompassing everything from physical action to the rhythmic pacing of life. At its core, to beat means to strike repeatedly. We see this literally when a drummer hits a snare to create a beat, or when someone beats a rug to clear the dust. In a competitive sense, to beat an opponent means to defeat them, whether through physical prowess or mental strategy.
However, "beat" stretches far beyond physical striking. It signifies territory and pacing in professional contexts; a journalist might cover the "police beat," or a police officer might patrol their regular "beat." In literature and acting, a "beat" refers to a specific pause or a shift in emotion that adds emphasis to a scene.
Figuratively, the word is a symbol of resilience. To beat a record is to surpass it, and to beat a disease is to recover from it. The word even serves as an adjective to describe total exhaustion: "After that long hike, I'm completely beat!" Whether you are tapping your foot to a musical beat, striving to beat the morning traffic, or simply feeling tired after a hard day's work, this small word packs a powerful punch, blending the concepts of rhythm, victory, and endurance.
Examples
- 1
Sports result
Our team beat them 3-0 in the final.
- 2
Competition
She always beats me at tennis.
- Patternbeat someone at + game/activity
win against them in that game or activity
- 3
Physical reaction
My heart was beating so fast that I could hardly speak.
- 4
Repeated impact
Waves beat against the rocks all night.
- Patternbeat against + surface
hit it again and again
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Cooking
Beat the eggs with a fork before you add them to the pan.
- 6
Travel
If we leave now, we can beat the traffic.
- Phrasebeat the traffic
leave before the roads get too busy
- 7
First arrival
She beat me to the last empty seat.
- Patternbeat someone to + place/thing
get there first
- 8
Tiredness
After that long flight, I'm beat.
- PhraseI'm beat
I'm very tired
- 9
Strong praise
You can't beat fresh strawberries in summer.
- Patterncan't beat + thing
nothing is better than it
- 10
Music
The song has a strong beat, so everyone started dancing.
- 11
Self-criticism
Don't beat yourself up over one bad presentation.
- Phrasebeat yourself up
blame yourself too much
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- beatnounverbadjective
Forms
- beating-ing formverbnounadjective
- beatspluralnounverbadjective
- beatenpast participleverbnounadjective