1Strike (a person or an animal) repeatedly and violently so as to hurt or injure them, typically with an implement such as a club or whip.

1. 1.1 Strike (an object) repeatedly so as to make a noise.
   he beat the table with his hand

   Example sentencesExamples

   • One was beating the drum, and the other wore a rearing gold-foil cobra on his head, from which hung many garlands made of bits of cloth, gathered to look like flowers.
   • He has been asked to stop beating his drum so fiercely after complaints about the noise.
   • So to round off the evening the children were dressed in tie dyed costumes, grass skirts and beating drums performed two lively African dance songs.
   • No sooner had he begun his circular gyrations whilst beating his drum than a strange black cloud, more like smoke than water vapour, appeared over Waimate.
   • The French street theatre company Trans Express walked through the crowd beating their drums.
   • Julius is shown beating a drum and dancing at a Pow-Wow, and speaks sincerely about his tribe's core values.
   • A man walked up the street, beating a metal gong, asking us to pray for the good white people who were flying food in for the relief center, the new one they set up in St. Johns.
   • They feasted for two days, stripping the meat from the carcass and then consuming it as tribal drums were beaten.
   • He beat his drum as he went so his progress could be monitored by the soldiers above.
   • When monsoon floods approached their settlements, they told us, drums were beaten inside the caves, and the people could hear it.
   • Natives who beat drums to drive off evil spirits are objects of scorn to smart Americans who blow horns to break up traffic jams.
   • The father beats a drum and the son buries his head in a covered pit.
   • He stands on two legs, beats a big drum with a stick held in his trunk and disports himself with the grave grace one always admires in these imposing creatures.
   • Later, there's a different phase of activities when a small band of students walks up the hill beating drums, carrying signs, and chanting.
   • I go up there and there are about eight or 10 of the beautiful Tahitian girls, and I was there all night with Marlon beating the drums while they danced.
   • A lambeg drum is an enormous instrument beaten with great enthusiasm by orange marching bands.
   • At this time, it is forbidden to beat drums or make other loud noises.
   • They have no churches: today Turner's act of worship involved beating a drum while watching the sun set over Bute.
   • It pounds at my head like someone beating a drum.

   Synonyms

   bang, hit, strike, rap, tap, pound, thump, hammer
2. 1.2no object (of an instrument) make a rhythmical sound by being struck.
   drums were beating in the distance

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Then there was a sound of drums beating filling the air with its fury.
   • I heard drums beating, and the sinister familiar sound of chains.
   • Long after the final whistle had blown at their semi-final, the sound of drums beating and fans chanting could be heard outside the stadium.
   • With drums beating, bands playing and bayonets fixed, they marched through the town's streets to the delight of the crowds.
   • Her laughter was deep, right from the stomach, and it sounded like merry drums beating away.
   • Drums have been beating throughout the borough's schools this term at a series of musical workshops and concerts.
   • Yet the sound you now hear is so distinct in its intentions that you know it at once: war drums beating out the rhythm of impending attack.
   • There are no drums beating from the forbidden side of the mountain.
   • The drums had stopped beating and the tent flap had been closed.
   • In the quiet countryside there are rhythms of drums beating for all to hear.
3. 1.3 Strike (a carpet, blanket, etc.) repeatedly in order to remove dust.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • Ava beat the rug with a vengeance, watching the dust fly through the air and circle in the late summer breeze.
   • He might have been beating a rug for all the effect it had.
   • Do excuse me, I'm off to put more laundry in, beat my rugs, grab some lunch, and maybe pop down to the shops.
   • She approaches an emotion with the finesse of someone beating a carpet.
   • Training a dog, beating a carpet or rug, and washing clothes are also banned on the heath.
4. 1.4 Flatten or shape (metal) by striking it repeatedly with a hammer.
   pure gold can be beaten out to form very thin sheets

   Example sentencesExamples

   • The other noble metal is silver, comparatively scarce in nature but easily beaten into shapes where its gleaming silver colour reminded the ancients of the Moon.
   • The most expensive is wrought iron, where the metal is beaten into shape.
   • Gold and silver was also beaten and drawn out to be used to make thread for embroidery and braid weaving, often of an ecclesiastical in nature.
   • The metal was beaten into a shimmering disc.
   • She took a quick glance at me and then she laughed as she continued beating the metal.
   • The piece of metal was then beaten with some kind of hammer, before being put back into the fire.
   • It looked like a hammer, beating a sheet of metal.
   • Lead may be worked directly, by being hammered or beaten into shape, or indirectly, melted and cast as with bronze, or it may be cast in the rough and then finished by hammering.
   • Years ago, you used to be able to walk past the workshops under the Westway from about April onwards and hear the clanging of steel drums being beaten into shape.
   • The metal can be beaten out so thinly that it has hardly any solidity left, when it appears as gold by reflected light but green by transmitted light.

   Synonyms

   hammer, forge, form, shape, mould, work, stamp, fashion, model, fabricate, make, cast, frame, sculpt, sculpture
5. 1.5beat something against/on Strike something against (something)
   she beat her fists against the wood

   Example sentencesExamples

   • He found her beating her fists on the hood of the cop car.
   • Toddlers will be beating their fists on their high chairs in fury.
   • He beat her head against the hole-in-the-wall machine, leaving her bruised and battered.
   • The males also exhibit a curious trick of beating their beaks against their chests to emit a rhythmic clicking sound.
   • Then he started beating his fist against the steering wheel, cursing and swearing.
   • The Zulus did it by beating their spears against their shields.
   • Layla stares at it, grim, then screams, and falls down, beating her fists against the pavement.
   • He beat his fists on David's arm, and David soon let him go, both boys grinning widely.
   • I resist the urge to slam my head against the steering wheel until I lose consciousness and settle for beating my fists against the dashboard of my pitiful rental car.
   • She fell against the glass case and began to beat her fist against it in frustration.
   • It beats chains against the ground in a rotating motion to detonate and destroy mines.
   • She dropped her arms and sighed when Matt didn't beat his fist against the door.
   • She beat her fist against the newly created wall.
   • Sarah screamed in his ear, beating her fists against his arm and anywhere else she could reach.
   • When my partner arrived he tried to comfort me and in some dim corner of my mind I was shocked to see myself beat my fists on his chest, still chanting, ‘It can't be true.’
   • In total frustration, he swept a few dishes in front of him onto the floor and beat his fists on the table, knocking a few more dishes to the floor.
   • If things aren't back to normal by Monday, it will be because I've knocked myself out beating my head against the desk.
   • Shaddin snapped suddenly, standing up and beating a fist on the table, making his son jump.
   • He becomes hysterical, crying and beating his fist against the wall.
   • Instead I settled for beating my fists against his chest.

   Synonyms

   beat against, dash against, crash against, pound, batter, buffet, smack against, strike, hit, knock
6. 1.6beat on/againstno object Strike repeatedly on.
   Sidney beat on the door with the flat of his hand

   Example sentencesExamples

   • My fists were shaking badly, and I wanted to beat on something to let out all of my anger.
   • The percussion instrument sounds like something beating against a tin roof.
   • As I drew on my reserves and got going again I was left with the pain in my quads and the sound of my feet beating against the pavement.
   • Doors slam shut, waves beat against the hull, and faint voices call for the characters to meet their doom.
   • He carried her back up the hill while she beat on his back and kicked.
   • Even the rhythmic resonance of the waves beating against the hull of a ship produces music of a different kind.
   • I heard him beat against the door, and then fall to his feet with a strangled sigh.
   • Meanwhile, Gregor's sister and father beat on his bedroom door, calling him to leave for work.
   • The storm continued though the night and the only thing that you could do was sit and listen to the sound of the rain beating against the castle.
   • She looked around for something to cover herself and again Noah beat on the door.
   • The sound of the ball beating against the ground resounded through the neighborhood.
   • Instead, Cindy was stuck staring gloomily out the window as rain steadily beat against it.
   • The sound of a girl beating on the door snaps him back to reality.
   • Again and again and again it beat against the roof, shattering every tile it hit.
   • She stared up at the vaulted ceiling listening to the sound of the rain beating against it.
   • Five minutes later, we were cruising down the highway with the wind beating roughly against the side of the car and ruffling our hair.
   • He beat on the bar with the palm of his hand then hung his head at the floor.
   • I'd beat on the walls and doors, leaving dents and holes, usually hurting myself on top of it.
   • The sound of hoofs beating on the ground could be heard in the distance, and the small feet ran faster.
   • My hands grasp the brass knob as I beat on the door, calling, crying, begging.

   Synonyms

   bang, tap, rap, thump, pound, hammer
7. 1.7beat atno object Make striking movements toward.
   Emmie seized the hearthrug and began to beat at the flames

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Bill's eyes suddenly locked on Timms, his face twisted in anger, and he began beating at the glass.
   • She is hysterically screaming while trying to beat at the flames.
   • He writhed and choked, beating at the man's wrist with his hands.
   • Maria howled, beating at his chest with her fists.
   • One man had apparently loosened his straps and was now floating helplessly toward the ceiling, arms and legs beating at the air.
   • ‘Get him off of me,’ he screamed, beating at Bill's hands.
   • He was beating at the drum kit extremely aggressively, maybe even too aggressively, and banging his head, but yet still managing to grin maniacally at several females in the crowd.
   • She began to beat at his arms and attempt to pull away, but he pulled her closer.
   • Jack thought for a while, then fetched a helmet and methodically beat at the flame with it.
   • I saw all four guys around where I assumed the fire had been, with their shirts off, using them to beat at the flames.
   • She began beating at the gates furiously, but no one came.
8. 1.8 Move across (an area of land) repeatedly striking at the ground cover in order to raise game birds for shooting.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • Local lords also demanded that peasants beat the woods during hunts and pay special additional taxes.
   • Many beaters like to carry their own stick, to help them get up and down banks, as well as for beating the undergrowth.
   • These are people employed to beat the ground and bushes to 'flush' the birds towards the guns.
   • The estate staff and sundry villagers would be involved in beating the woods and picking up the game.
   • In bird hunting some participants roused the birds by beating the bushes while others caught them in nets.

2Defeat (someone) in a game, competition, election, or commercial venture.

1. 2.1 Overcome (a problem or disease)
   he beat heroin addiction in 1992

   they are investing their savings in hopes of beating inflation

   Example sentencesExamples

   • It was thought she had beaten the disease last year, but tests in January revealed that she had developed another form of the leukaemia.
   • As you can see, when it comes to beating arthritis, there is a wide range of alternative remedies on the market.
   • He said beating congestion and improving safety were of the utmost importance and both these schemes worked towards that goal.
   • It is good news for Britain's poorest families - and will help the government's desire to beat child poverty.
   • She appeared to have beaten the illness in 2004, but just seven months ago the vicious disease returned with vengeance.
   • He says the only hope of beating the disease is to ensure that knowledge spreads faster than virus.
   • She beat the illness, but earlier this year, she started suffering stomach pains and was re-admitted for treatment.
   • He said the step to beating poverty was to ensure trade justice, eradicate debt to poor countries and deliver more aid.
   • He had beaten cancer in 1995, but he'd never fully regained his health.
   • It is a further demonstration of the county council's commitment to beating congestion and improving our highways.
   • But now his best chance of beating the disease is if a matching bone marrow donor can be found.
   • The journey to beat cancer is a long one and research is vital.
   • Having beaten cancer, he set out to beat the best cyclists in the world, not once but five times in a row.
   • He needs the transplant to beat a rare disease that makes it hard to process oxygen.
   • But three years later the brave youngster has astonished medics by beating his cancer and returning to hospital to thank the staff who helped save him.
   • They thought he had beaten his illness as he had been healthy as a young man.
   • A mother-of-four is dedicating her life to educating people about meningitis after her two sons beat the deadly disease.
   • Chloe had to have a kidney removed at North Manchester Children's Hospital in the battle to beat her illness.
   • We can beat poverty and illiteracy and fear.
   • Although smallpox has no known cure or specific treatment, the disease was beaten with a massive, worldwide immunization campaign.

   Synonyms

   deal with, handle, manage, address, face, face up to, confront, tackle, sort out, take care of, take in hand, get to grips with, contend with, grapple with, wrestle with, struggle with, tussle with
2. 2.2 Do or be better than (a record or score)
   he beat his own world record

   Example sentencesExamples

   • The next day, I told myself that I was going to beat Justin's first-round score.
   • To beat the current record, held by a group of Canadians, they need to roll more than 81 car tyres for a distance of 100-metres.
   • The aim was to beat the existing record of 62 square metres.
   • The moment you set a goal and achieve it, somebody will eventually beat your record and surpass your goal!
   • Judging it on the TV replay, it looked like it also beat the Olympic record.
   • The rowers were attempting to finish their voyage in 60 days, beating the record of 64 days set in 1971 by a single rower.
   • The team is confident that it will beat the current record of 245 mph, and say that it could even reach 300 mph on future runs.
   • She will need to reach an average speed of 15.5 knots for the voyage if she is to beat the record.
   • The gas company said the cold snap had led to record demand in Yorkshire on Wednesday when 23 million cubic metres of gas was used, beating the previous record in December 1999.
   • I believe our survival record was eventually beaten by another airman.
   • He had beaten the Norwegian's record by more than a minute.
   • If anyone would like to help us beat least year's record collection of £26, 531.66 please telephone me.
   • Basically, the game consisted of throwing a pair of dice, covered, and lying about what was on them to the next person, who had to beat your score.
   • Although communities try to beat their previous score, it is also an open competition against other communities.
   • ‘I wanted to beat the world record but there was so much pressure on me and Jamie,’ he said.
   • She hopes to set off in the catamaran Kingfisher II next January, with a team of 14, to beat the current record of 64 days.
   • This beats the previous record of 283,999, which was set only last year, and represents a two per cent rise on the 2003 figure.
   • I never imagined that you'd be able to beat the top score like that.
   • He did it in six hours, 53 minutes and 21 seconds and has vowed to go back for more next year and beat his own record.
   • It sold 2.5 million copies during its first week in the shops, beating the previous record, held by Titanic, by 700,000.

   Synonyms

   surpass, outdo, exceed, eclipse, transcend, top, trump, cap, better, outperform, outstrip, outshine, outclass, overshadow, put in the shade, be better than, improve on, go one better than
3. 2.3informal Be better than.
   you can't beat the taste of fresh raspberries

   Example sentencesExamples

   • I agree they're sometimes hard to read, but you can't beat them for true honest heartfelt sincerity.
   • It gives me more comfort and beats staying in hotels all the time.
   • You can't beat a good growing bag, no matter what's inside it.
   • There is a more casual bar, but it is hard to beat the experience of eating in the new Two Sisters dining-room, next to the snug lounge bar with its crackling log fire.
   • You can't beat local knowledge and Dominic has a fair bit of it.
   • For a more regular treat, you can't beat perfect steak and chips.
   • Let's face it, you can't beat the taste of home-grown produce bought in season.
   • Whatever is in it, it is hard to beat an Irish Racing Festival.
   • But it was hard to beat the Falconry Display as far as the kids were concerned, and parents too if they would admit it.
   • In the cooler months you can't beat camellias as they are compact and reliable and can be clipped or trained to suit.
   • The drinks may not be free, but you can't beat the convenience.
   • You can't beat lightweight wheels for snappy acceleration and climbing power.
   • You can't beat the humble spud along with a pint of freshly chilled milk to speed the digestive process.
   • It is my experience that you can't beat a local approach for dedicated, loyal focused workers who will be with you for years.
   • You can't beat the feeling of seeing 15,000 people dancing in front of you to the music you are playing.
   • Nothing beats it for atmosphere, and the food is fabulous.
   • For something a bit smarter, you can't beat a shirt and tie.
   • For an effortless night out, however, you can't beat the cinema.
   • For a totally indulgent treat, it is hard to beat a good old-fashioned bubble bath.
   • You can't beat a flow of information to keep people informed and stifle rumour.
4. 2.4informal Baffle.
   it beats me how you manage to work in this heat

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Why anyone would want to drive at 150 mph with the roof down beats me.
   • What beats me is how it took so long for his evil deeds to be discovered.
   • How anybody can say this is good news - with a straight face - beats me.
   • It beats me how anybody could play such a boring game.
   • How she recovered so fast from last night beats the hell out of me.
   • But still, people seem to get offended; beats me why.

   Synonyms

   baffle, bewilder, mystify, bemuse, perplex, puzzle, confuse, confound, nonplus, disconcert, throw, throw off balance, disorientate, take aback, set thinking

3Succeed in getting somewhere ahead of (someone)

1. 3.1 Take action to avoid (difficult or inconvenient effects of an event or circumstance)
   they set off early to beat the traffic

   Example sentencesExamples

   • We got up early and beat the Bank Holiday traffic to the western dales, seeking a quiet and very colourful walk on the land between Grassington and Malham.
   • And his parents miss it because they left after 80 minutes to beat the traffic.
   • Plans to beat traffic congestion when Royal Ascot comes to York will be tested in the city next month at its biggest race meeting of the year.
   • Visitors are being urged to get to the town early to beat traffic queues.
   • Plans for a new motorway linking the M6 and M56 have been put forward to beat congestion.
   • People rearranged meetings, opted to work from home, or got up earlier to beat the rush and so prevented major disruption.
   • Eight hours earlier I had left Dublin, intent on beating the morning traffic up the N1 en route to a meeting in Belfast.
   • A Purton businessman has come up with a novel way of beating the traffic by reintroducing a mode of transport which was last popular when Queen Victoria was on the throne.
   • It is bad enough having to get up early in order to beat the traffic, without finding one still cannot get in to work on time.
   • If you bought early to beat the Christmas rush, it may be too late to ask for a refund if you don't find the goods are faulty until Christmas Day
   • He said that a designated bus lane in Malton Road should ensure that commuters beat peak traffic congestion and cruise straight into the city.
   • What have you got to lose - get your bet on early and beat the rush.
   • Living in Dundrum, he found he was getting up earlier and earlier to beat the morning traffic into the city.
   • After his first set, those who left to beat the traffic missed the best moment of the entire performance.
   • Sunday's meeting is likely to attract a massive crowd so all of you who are going should get there early to beat the rush.
   • You'd be doing yourself a favour by beating the rush and having the job done quickly, as well as helping us all get through a bad patch and keep us going till it does rain.
   • He left a little earlier than his usual time to beat the traffic.
   • But instead of following her usual habit of leaving early to beat the rush, her son Shaun insisted the group stayed to the end.
   • Rush-hour buses are to start earlier in south Manchester in a bid to beat the traffic jams.
   • As a result, they had to leave quite early to beat the evening traffic jam and to make up for their drummer's driving.

   Synonyms

   avoid, evade, escape, dodge, sidestep, elude, get round, circumvent, steer clear of, give a wide berth to, find a way round, bypass, skirt, cheat, duck

4no object (of the heart) pulsate.

5(of a bird) move (the wings) up and down.

1. 5.1no object (of a bird) fly making rhythmic wing movements.
   an owl beat low over the salt marsh

   Example sentencesExamples

   • A bird in flight emerges from a field of slate blue on the upper right, wings beating toward the picture plane.
   • His long wings beat slow, steady beats, as if accentuating the overall extenuation of the bird.
   • If she tilted her head back she could see a hawk circling in the air, its magnificent wings beating steadily to keep it in the air.
   • Each bird works to and fro across the levels, buoyant wings beating steadily with a pause every now and then before the hunter sweeps onwards in an easy glide.
   • Because the wings beat about once a second, the flight will be anything but smooth.
   • The bird soared away from us, its broad wings beating slowly.
   • I managed to get a hand hold before he jumped into the air, his wings rhythmically beating.
   • She was stopped by a gust of air and the sound of the bird's wings beating.
   • Her great wings beat restlessly against her back as she waited for the others to join her.
   • Soaring above the gorge was a large black bird, its wings spread, beating against the wind.
   • Her multicolored wings beat furiously, but don't lift her off the ground.
   • When the egrets pass close, and they often do, you can hear their wings beat.

   Synonyms

   flutter, move up and down, agitate, wave, wag, waggle, shake, swing, twitch

6Stir (cooking ingredients) vigorously with a fork, whisk, or beater to make a smooth or frothy mixture.

7beat itinformal Leave.

8Sailing
no object, with adverbial of direction Sail into the wind, following a zigzag course with repeated tacking.

1A main accent or rhythmic unit in music or poetry.

1. 1.1 A strong rhythm in popular music.
   the music changed to a funky disco beat

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Usually hip-hop offers a steady beat to nod your head or tap a foot to.
   • A new wave of young musicians appeared, adopting dance beats and electronic sounds as their main mean of expression.
   • Honey strutted on the catwalk to the beat of the background music, smirking in her hot-pink party gown.
   • It was full of upbeat music, fast beats and swift rhythms.
   • People were drinking, shouting, singing along to the beat of the music, and dancing.
   • I'm a sucker for a pounding beat and some flashing lights.
   • It is not exactly a disco beat and not exactly post-punk, but lies somewhere in between the two.
   • The audiences wanted loud, full music with a lively beat.
   • In fact, there is nothing even remotely resembling a new sound, riff or beat.
   • Every song is similar in that the beat has great rhythm and is very smooth.
   • My fingers started tapping against my leg to the beat of the music.
   • There is a structure under there somewhere, with each song held together by a strong beat.
   • It gives you what you'd expect - strong beats, ironic raps and bizarre alter egos.
   • He also insists the station is changed if anything comes on that doesn't have a strong beat.
   • A rock song played in the background and the crowd thumped along to the beat.
   • The pounding beat, uplifting crescendos and psychedelic lights had just the right effect.
   • There are hip-hop beats, beautiful vocals by various smoky-voiced female singers and there's also a modern lounge feel.
   • All the songs have been carefully selected for your enjoyment, from laid back sounds to a beat that makes you stand up and get into a groove.
   • It had a dance beat with the synthesised sounds of wailing or sometimes heavy instruments.
   • The show is a pure play on energy, filled with funky beats and strong singing and dancing.

   Synonyms

   rhythm, pulse, stress, metre, time, measure, cadence, accent, rhythmical flow, rhythmical pattern
2. 1.2in singular A regular, rhythmic sound or movement.
   the beat of the wipers became almost hypnotic

   Example sentencesExamples

   • But before he could reach the door he heard the steady beat of the life moderator, and at the sound of this he ran to the window.
   • The two of them were now alone in the great hall, and the even beat of their breaths echoed like wind within a cove of deep water.
   • A shower helped, but even the monotonous beat of hot water couldn't drive out the visions of atrocities in his head.
   • To live according to the regular beat of man-made time, we have to carry time around with us.
   • She settles down the steady beat of kitchen sounds that announce the preparation of dinner for yet another autumn night.
   • A pulsar, of course, beeps with a regular beat, but it also has a sort of echo.
   • The distant beat of voices echoed through the room, soft voices which blurred and repeated the same words, the same tune, over and over again.
   • The slim rectangular bars pulsed with a regular, orderly beat, like a message in code or a stuttering horizon line.
   • Then, to the beat of Aboriginal dancers and the sound of a didgeridoo, the masses lurched forward and the event began.
   • Far off in the distance, Ian heard the beat of helicopter blades, and as the sound came nearer, he screamed for help.
   • York buzzed to the beat of carnival time yesterday as thousands lined the city pavements to witness a major Millennium spectacular.

   Synonyms

   rhythm, patter, tap, chatter, pounding, thump, thumping, thud, thudding, rattle, rattling, pitter-patter, rat-a-tat, pit-a-pat, thrum, tattoo, vibration, throb, throbbing, pulsation
3. 1.3 The sound made when something, especially a musical instrument, is struck.
   he heard a regular drumbeat

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Every paddler moves his or her oar in time with the beat of the drum.
   • His panther ears twitched at the sound of distant hoof beats.
   • Dancing to the beats of the drums, the audience of all ages was on its feet.
   • As the beat of the hooves fell silent in the distance the priest heard a dry laugh coming from under the bridge and he knew immediately who was there.
   • Women who were washing laundry outside their houses, and talking to their neighbour about the latest village gossip, looked up in surprise at the sound of hoof beats.
   • I woke to the jolting sound of hoof beats, thundering down a dirt path.
   • He tapped his foot and nodded his head in time to the beat of the drums.
   • While some of the gatherers donned costumes, most settled on picket signs and chants, and some marched to the beat of makeshift drums.
   • She heard the sound of hoof beats behind her and saw four men dressed in black.
   • The entire group marched to the beat of the drums, while the power of their songs lifted us up the concrete trail to the center of the island.
   • After another few minutes' silence, they heard distinct sounds of hoof beats.
   • Year after year, dragon dancers in colorful costumes wildly prance around different locales, mostly shopping centers, to the loud beats of the drums.
   • The beat of the drums and the sweet tenor voice of the guitar could be heard from outside the theatre.
   • The beat of drums and bellow of trumpets welcomed the team behind the success of the film.
   • The sound of pipes joined the beat of the drum, and the men began to sing a hearty sea shanty as the ship moved through the surf and out to sea.
   • The first few beats of the drums could be heard before Hiryu started playing on the piccolo with the guitar and keyboards.
   • Families are invited to march to the beat of the drums from Rafters Landing to a bonfire celebration in Louise McKinney Park.
   • Five beats of the drum were heard.
   • The beat of the drum may sound weaker in the urban setting, yet the celebration still has its special aura.
   • This is a duel between two men, accompanied by the beat of the drums and gongs played by a group of elderly women.

   Synonyms

   pounding, banging, thumping, thudding, booming, hammering, battering, crashing
4. 1.4 A pulsation of the heart.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • Remember too that any physical task requiring fine motor control goes out the window as your heart rate approaches 140 beats per minute.
   • Her heart rate was 105 beats per minute; otherwise her vital signs were normal.
   • In her ears echoed the sounds of her beating heart as its beats began to grow weak and slow.
   • His heart rate was 120 beats per minute and his respiratory rate 18 per minute.
   • My heart skipped a beat as I realised that after such a long time, I'd be meeting her.
   • My highest-ever heart rate was 207 beats per minute, 15 years ago.
   • In essence, your heart requires fewer beats to pump the same amount of blood.
   • Mean at-rest heart rates were 91 beats per minute, or normal.
   • Some term newborns have a resting heart rate below 90 beats per minute.
   • My heart skipped about 20 beats when I realized it was Dan.
   • In an average lifetime of 70 years, the total resting time of the heart between beats is estimated to be about 40 years.
   • When the heart relaxes in between beats, the two ‘flaps’ of the mitral valve swing open to let blood flow from the atrium to the ventricle.
   • In this case, a heart rate of 70 beats per minute requires no specific intervention at this time.
   • The lone, strong voice coming from the speakers made my heart skip a beat.
   • Between beats, the heart relaxes and the blood seeps into the smaller vessels, much like a river flowing into its tributaries.
   • Don't be alarmed if you feel your heart skipping beats - that's a normal occurrence during angiograms.
   • Let's say you are 20, thus your maximal heart rate is 200 beats per minute.
   • My heart almost skipped a beat when I first walked in.
   • Taking long breaths to hide the agitated beats of my thudding heart, I leaned forward more intently to analyze the picture.
   • Running and cycling expend 350 and 360 calories respectively, at a heart rate of 148 beats per minute

   Synonyms

   pulse, pulsing, pulsating, vibration, vibrating, throb, throbbing, palpitation, palpitating, reverberation, reverberating
5. 1.5 A periodic variation of sound or amplitude due to the combination of two sounds, electrical signals, or other vibrations having similar but not identical frequencies.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • When the second pump had been stopped, the beat effect ceased and the vibration consequently assumed a stable trend.
   • As two tones become more similar, the ‘beat frequency’ becomes lower.

2The movement of a bird's wings.

3An area allocated to a police officer to patrol.

1. 3.1 A spell of duty allocated to a police officer.
   her beat ended at 6 a.m.
2. 3.2 An area regularly frequented by someone, typically a prostitute.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • Wardens each have beats which are rotated regularly and can expect to cover an average of up to six miles a day.
   • Reporters are required to check their beat everyday -- in person.
   • Workers in this contexts have similar ways of looking out for each other, including on worker telling another when she is leaving her ‘beat’ to service a punter, so that the woman who remains behind can raise the alarm if necessary.

   Synonyms

   route, way, course, journey
3. 3.3informal A person's area of interest.
   his beat is construction, property, and hotels

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Because she's a real reporter who happens to be stuck on the movie beat for the moment.
   • Because I work the entertainment beat, frequent contact was inevitable.
   • Others have found international reporting to be a beat that interests them far more than any domestic story.

4A brief pause or moment of hesitation, typically one lasting a specified length.

5informal

1informal predicative Completely exhausted.

2attributive Relating to the beat generation or its philosophy.