beats

beats · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Rhythmic units in music or poetry.

  2. 2.

    Regular routes covered by police officers or reporters.

  3. 3.

    Moments of pause in speech or drama.

  4. 4.

    Strikes repeatedly.

  5. 5.

    Defeats in competition.

  6. 6.

    Pulsates.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    beats me — I don't know; I can't understand.
  • •
    it beats (something) — It's better than (something).
  • •
    what beats all — What is most surprising.

Related words

See also: beat, pulse, rhythm
Synonyms: pulses, rhythms

Etymology

From Old English bēatan ("to beat").