Beat

/bˈiːt/

/ˈbit/

Definition & Meaning of "beat"

to beat

VERB

to hit somebody or something hard several times using one's hand or other objects such as a stick

to get more points, votes, etc. than the other side, in a game, race, competition, etc. and win

to repeatedly mix something using a spoon, fork, etc.

hit repeatedly

move rhythmically

shape by beating

make a rhythmic sound

strike (a part of one's own body) repeatedly, as in great emotion or in accompaniment to music

sail with much tacking or with difficulty

move with a thrashing motion

glare or strike with great intensity

strike (water or bushes) repeatedly to rouse animals for hunting

make by pounding or trampling

produce a rhythm by striking repeatedly

move with a flapping motion

indicate by beating, as with the fingers or drumsticks

move with or as if with a regular alternating motion

make a sound like a clock or a timer

avoid paying

be superior

wear out completely

be a mystery or bewildering to

beat through cleverness and wit

beat

ADJECTIVE

physically or emotionally exhausted

Beat

NOUN

a piece of music's or a poem's main rhythm

the rhythmic contraction and expansion of the arteries with each beat of the heart

a regular route for a sentry or policeman

feeding only on plants

the act of beating to windward; sailing as close as possible to the direction from which the wind is blowing

a stroke or blow

a regular rate of repetition

(prosody) the accent in a metrical foot of verse

the sound of stroke or blow

a member of the beat generation; a nonconformist in dress and behavior

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 basic unit of time that serves as the foundation for rhythm

a moment or pause in a scene where a character experiences a change in emotion or thought, often used to build tension, convey subtext, or advance the story

What is a "beat"?

In filmmaking and theater, a beat is a brief moment or pause in a scene where a character experiences a shift in emotion or thought. It is used to create tension, reveal underlying subtext, or advance the story. Beats help to emphasize important changes or reactions, adding depth to the character's experience and influencing the pacing of the narrative. They allow the audience to absorb and reflect on the character’s internal process.