Origin: Germanic Old English prefix
Beat has 38 different meanings across 3 categories:
the basic rhythmic unit in a piece of music
"the piece has a fast rhythm"
"the conductor set the beat"
a single pulsation of an oscillation produced by adding two waves of different frequencies; has a frequency equal to the difference between the two oscillations
"The audio engineer adjusted the synthesizer settings until the beat created a rhythmic throbbing that perfectly matched the tempo of the track."
the act of beating to windward; sailing as close as possible to the direction from which the wind is blowing
"The skipper adjusted the sails to beat directly toward the lighthouse despite the strong crosswind."
A stroke; a blow.
"After reading about her latest novel, I realized she was more of a beat than just another writer in the city."
A beatnik.
In plain English: A beat is the steady rhythm you hear in music that makes you want to tap your foot.
"The rhythmic beat of the drums filled the room."
Usage: The everyday meaning of "beat" as a noun refers to a regular pulse or rhythm in music, not a person. Use it to describe the tempo of a song or the steady sound heard when tapping your fingers on a table.
strike (a part of one's own body) repeatedly, as in great emotion or in accompaniment to music
"beat one's breast"
"beat one's foot rhythmically"
strike (water or bushes) repeatedly to rouse animals for hunting
"The hunters beat the tall grass along the riverbank to flush out the hidden ducks before dawn."
wear out completely
"This kind of work exhausts me"
"I'm beat"
"He was all washed up after the exam"
To hit; strike
"The drummer beat his hands loudly on the table to keep time for the band."
In plain English: To beat means to hit something hard over and over again until it breaks or gets damaged.
"She beat her egg with a fork before adding it to the batter."
Usage: Use "beat" to describe hitting something repeatedly with force, such as beating a drum or beating an egg until it is fluffy. Avoid using it for a single strike, which should be expressed with the word "hit.
exhausted
"After running up the steep hill, I was completely beat and could barely drag my legs down to the car."
In plain English: Beat means tired and worn out from working hard for a long time.
"The old drum had a beat skin that sounded thin and loose."
Usage: Use "beat" as an adjective only in informal contexts to describe someone who is completely exhausted or worn out from overwork. You should avoid using it in formal writing and instead choose words like "exhausted" or "drained."
The word "beat" comes from the Old English verb bēatan, which originally meant to pound, strike, or injure. It traveled into Middle English as beten before becoming the modern term we use today for hitting or striking something.