IPA: /biːt/
KK: /bit/
Feeling very tired or worn out, often due to hard work or stress.
After running the marathon, I felt completely beat and needed to rest.
Comparative: more beat
Superlative: most beat
A rhythmic unit or pulse in music or poetry, often associated with a stroke or blow that creates sound or serves as a signal.
The drummer kept a steady beat throughout the song.
To defeat someone in a game or competition, to arrive before someone else, or to make a rhythm with sound.
She managed to beat her opponent in the final match.
Past: beat
Past Participle: beaten
The word 'beat' originates from Old English 'beatan', meaning to strike or hit. It is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as Old High German 'biotan' (to beat) and Dutch 'beaten' (to beat).
Think of the Old English word 'beatan' meaning to strike — this helps you remember that 'beat' means to hit or strike something.