nounπShareA stroke; a blow."The old drum showed many scratches from the drummer's enthusiastic beats. "bodyactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA pulsation or throb."a beat of the heart; the beat of the pulse"physiologysoundmedicineChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA pulse on the beat level, the metric level at which pulses are heard as the basic unit. Thus a beat is the basic time unit of a piece."The drummer emphasized the strong beats of the song, making it easy to dance to. "musictimeChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA rhythm."The drum beats provided a steady rhythm for the dancers. "musicsoundChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe interference between two tones of almost equal frequency"When tuning a piano, the tuner listened carefully for the slow, wavering beats that indicated the two strings were almost, but not quite, in perfect unison. "soundphysicsfrequencyChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShare(authorship) A short pause in a play, screenplay, or teleplay, for dramatic or comedic effect; a plot point or story development."The script called for two beats after Maria heard the bad news, giving her time to react silently before she spoke. "entertainmentliteraturestagewritingcommunicationChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe route patrolled by a police officer or a guard."Officer Miller knows all the shop owners along his beats; he patrols them every day. "policeareajobChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShare(by extension) An area of a person's responsibility, especially"The police officer patrolled her beats diligently, ensuring the safety of the neighborhood. "jobworkbusinessareaorganizationChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareAn act of reporting news or scientific results before a rival; a scoop.""The student journalist celebrated her beats on the school board scandal, having published the story a week before the local newspaper." "mediaachievementChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThat which beats, or surpasses, another or others."the beat of him"achievementChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA precinct."The police officer patrolled her usual beats downtown, checking in with local businesses. "policeareaChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA place of habitual or frequent resort."The coffee shop is a popular beats for students during their breaks. "placeChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA low cheat or swindler."a dead beat"personcharactermoralChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe instrumental portion of a piece of hip-hop music."The DJ spent hours searching for the perfect beats to use in his new mix. "musicentertainmentChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe act of scouring, or ranging over, a tract of land to rouse or drive out game; also, those so engaged, collectively."The hunting beats returned empty-handed after a long day in the woods. "gamesportenvironmentChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA smart tap on the adversary's blade."During the fencing lesson, the instructor showed her student how a quick series of beats on the opponent's foil could disrupt their attack. "sportweaponmilitaryactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo hit; strike"As soon as she heard that her father had died, she went into a rage and beat the wall with her fists until her knuckles bled."actionbodyChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo strike or pound repeatedly, usually in some sort of rhythm."He danced hypnotically while she beat the atabaque."musicsoundactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo strike repeatedly; to inflict repeated blows; to knock vigorously or loudly."The baker beats the eggs vigorously with a whisk. "actionsoundChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo move with pulsation or throbbing."My heart beats faster when I'm nervous before a test. "physiologybodysensationChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo win against; to defeat or overcome; to do better than, outdo, or excel (someone) in a particular, competitive event."The soccer team beat their rivals 3-1 in the final game. "sportachievementChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo sail to windward using a series of alternate tacks across the wind."The sailboat captain expertly beats against the wind, maneuvering to reach the harbor. "nauticalsailingChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo strike (water, foliage etc.) in order to drive out game; to travel through (a forest etc.) for hunting."The hunters beats the tall grass along the riverbank to flush out the ducks. "gameactionsportanimalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo mix food in a rapid fashion. Compare whip."Beat the eggs and whip the cream."foodutensilactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShare(In haggling for a price) of a buyer, to persuade the seller to reduce a price"He wanted $50 for it, but I managed to beat him down to $35."businesscommerceeconomyChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo indicate by beating or drumming."to beat a retreat; to beat to quarters"musicsoundactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo tread, as a path."The farmer beats a path through the tall grass every morning to reach his cows. "wayactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo exercise severely; to perplex; to trouble."The math problem really beats me; I can't figure it out no matter how hard I try. "actionmindphysiologyChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo be in agitation or doubt."My heart beats with worry whenever I have to give a presentation in class. "mindemotionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo make a sound when struck."The drums beat."soundmusicChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo make a succession of strokes on a drum."The drummers beat to call soldiers to their quarters."musicsoundactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo sound with more or less rapid alternations of greater and less intensity, so as to produce a pulsating effect; said of instruments, tones, or vibrations, not perfectly in unison."The grandfather clock's pendulum beats steadily, a rhythmic sound filling the quiet house. "soundmusicphysicsfrequencyChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo arrive at a place before someone."He beat me there."achievementactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo have sexual intercourse."Bruv, she came in just as we started to beat."sexactionhumanChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo rob."He beat me out of 12 bucks last night."policeactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA beatnik."In the 1950s, many young people were drawn to the philosophy and lifestyle of beats who rejected mainstream society. "culturepersonliteraturestylehistoryChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading