beat
noun, verb
UK/biːt/US/biːt/
As a noun, it can refer to a rhythmic pulse in music, a regular route assigned to a police officer or reporter, or the area they cover. As a verb, it can mean to defeat someone in a competition, to strike something repeatedly, to mix vigorously in cooking, or informally to feel exhausted (e.g., “I’m beat”).
Example Sentences
He used a wooden spoon to beat the eggs until they became light and fluffy.
The police officer walked the same beat every evening to keep the neighborhood safe.
The drummer maintained a steady beat, giving the band a consistent rhythm.
No one expected them to beat the reigning champions, but their intense training and unwavering determination propelled them to an astonishing, hard-fought victory that left the crowd cheering in disbelief.
After running a marathon, I felt completely beat and needed a day to recover.
Despite the setbacks, the team refused to be beaten, pushing through adversity to meet every deadline.
You must find the right beat in the music to coordinate each step perfectly with your dance partner, a challenge that demands patience, practice, and meticulous timing to master.
His heart was beating rapidly during the horror movie, making it difficult for him to focus on the storyline.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
A pattern of repeated pulses or the act of striking, defeating, or overcoming.“Beat” can appear both as a noun and a verb, carrying a variety of meanings. In music, the noun “beat” refers to the basic unit of time or rhythmic pulse—think of tapping your foot along with the beat of a song. In casual conversation, you might say, “That track has a catchy beat,” highlighting its rhythm.As a verb, “to beat” commonly means to strike or hit repeatedly: “She beat the drum for the parade,” or “They were beating on the door.” It can also denote victory or outdoing someone: “He beat his opponent in the final round,” meaning he won against them. More metaphorically, you can use it to imply surpassing expectations—“Nothing beats a home-cooked meal.” Another frequent usage is “to beat” as in to mix ingredients vigorously when cooking, e.g., “Beat the eggs until they’re fluffy.”In idiomatic expressions, you might hear “beat around the bush” (avoid getting to the point), “beat the clock” (finish before a deadline), or “dead beat” (completely exhausted). Whether referencing music, competition, or repeated force, “beat” underscores a core sense of motion or emphasis, be it rhythmic or confrontational. Matching “beat” to its proper context—music, physical action, or metaphorical surpassing—lets you express anything from dance grooves to triumphant victories to culinary instructions with just one short word.
Alternatives
Depending on your intended meaning, alternatives for “beat” vary. For music, words like “rhythm,” “pulse,” or “tempo” may clarify that you’re talking about the underlying timing. If you want a synonym for striking, “hit,” “pound,” or “knock” can fit, each shifting the tone slightly. When emphasizing victory, “defeat,” “overcome,” or “triumph over” substitute well. For surpassing or outperforming, “exceed,” “outdo,” and “surpass” might be more formal. If your focus is on blending or mixing ingredients, you can say “whisk” or “mix,” which detail the method more precisely. Meanwhile, phrases like “bypass” or “avoid” can stand in for “beat the system,” although they tweak the nuance. Each of these synonyms narrows the sense of “beat” to its relevant action or connotation—physical force, competition, or process—and can keep your writing precise while maintaining the energy of the original verb.
Writing
When writing with “beat,” target the sense you need. If describing a song, detail how the beat shapes the music’s mood—“The driving beat of the drums gave the song its propulsive energy.” For physical action, specify the effect: “She beat on the door in a state of panic.” When focusing on a competitive edge—“He beat his rival by a landslide”—highlight the stakes or the scope of victory. In narrative fiction, “beat” can underscore pacing: “His heart beat faster with every passing second,” adding tension. You might also use it as a transitional tool—“She paused, let a beat pass, then replied” to show a brief moment of silence. In academic or more formal contexts, use synonyms if “beat” sounds too colloquial or ambiguous. For instance, you might write “defeated” or “outperformed” instead of “beat” to convey precision. If your piece covers multiple meanings—music, conflict, surpassing—add contextual cues (“beat of the drum,” “beat the odds,” “beat the mixture”) to guide readers. Through well-placed details, you can convey urgency, rhythm, or triumph with a single, versatile word, ensuring clarity in every sense.
Casual Conversation
In everyday speech, “beat” often appears in idioms or quick remarks. If you’ve just won a game, you might say, “Yeah, I beat him in chess today!” or “We beat traffic by leaving early.” If you’re worn out, “I’m dead beat” or “I feel beat” means you’re exhausted. When referencing music, friends might compliment a song’s groove: “That beat is sick!” or “This DJ’s beat drops are amazing.” If you’re trying to hurry, “We gotta beat the clock” suggests finishing before a deadline. During cooking, you might ask, “Can you beat the eggs while I chop the onions?” for a casual, everyday request. Or when discussing competition, “We’re going to beat last year’s sales record.” These quick uses of “beat” are straightforward for most folks—no extra explanation needed. If there’s any confusion—like whether you mean a rhythmic beat or defeating an opponent—brief context easily clarifies. In sum, “beat” fits daily conversation just as neatly as it does music, sports, or culinary tasks, lending punch and familiarity to your remarks.
Etymology
The word “beat” traces back through Old English “beatan,” meaning “to strike, thrust, or beat,” which itself draws on Germanic roots. Initially, it connoted physical hitting or striking actions. Over centuries, the term’s meaning broadened to include defeating others in contests, surpassing standards, and creating rhythmic pulses in music. By the 16th and 17th centuries, “beat” in musical notation described timekeeping or accentuation, while idiomatic uses—like “dead beat” (exhausted) or “beat around the bush”—emerged in Early Modern English. Today, “beat” simultaneously inhabits everyday slang, formal competition references, and musical terminology. Its fluid evolution demonstrates how a single root word can expand into various expressions—covering everything from physical force (“beat a rug,” “beat someone at chess”) to abstract achievements (“beat the odds”) and intangible rhythms (“the beat of a song”). Over time, each domain—music, sports, writing—shaped “beat” into a concise, versatile term that remains central to English vocabulary.