Meaning & use

beat

verb·Everyday

To defeat an opponent, or to strike something repeatedly.

See it in a sentence

The home team beat their rivals by two goals in a thrilling final match.

She beat the eggs and sugar together until the mixture turned pale and fluffy.

A note on using this word

Beat is highly versatile, covering competition, cooking, rhythm, and even routes ('beat a path'); the intended sense usually depends on the object that follows it.

Words with a similar meaning

defeatoutdostrike

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Another way to use it

2. noun

A regular rhythmic pulse in music, or a journalist's regular area of coverage.

The drummer kept a steady beat throughout the entire song.

Make it your own

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