beat
Definitions
To hit someone or something repeatedly
（反复）打，敲打
To defeat someone in a game, contest or fight
打败，战胜
(of the heart) to make a regular movement; to pulsate
（心脏）搏动，跳动
A regular rhythm or pulse, as in music or the heart
节拍，拍子；搏动
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedbeat is the root itself, from Old English beatan ('to strike'). Repeated striking spreads into three senses: rhythm (the beat of a drum), competition (beat a rival = strike them down), and pulse (the heart beats). The verb is irregular: beat / beat / beaten.
Root beat still carries 6 more wordsUsage Guide
Irregular verb: beat (present) / beat (past) / beaten (past participle) — note the past tense is also 'beat,' not 'beated.' Idioms: 'beat someone up' (attack), 'beat the odds' (succeed against expectation), 'you can't beat X' (nothing is better than X).
Example Sentences
- 1.
Our team beat the champions in the final.
- 2.
Her heart was beating fast after the climb.
- 3.
He beat the drum in time with the music.
- 4.
You can't beat a cold drink on a hot day.