beat
The regular pulse or rhythm in a piece of music that you can clap your hands or tap your feet to. It is the basic unit of time in a song that helps musicians stay together.
Examples
3 of 5The beat of the drums is very loud in this room.
The beat of the drums is very loud in this room.
The conductor ensured that the orchestra maintained a steady beat.
The conductor ensured that the orchestra maintained a steady beat.
I really like the beat in this new hip-hop track.
I really like the beat in this new hip-hop track.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of your heart. Your heart has a 'beat' that is steady and regular, just like the 'beat' in your favorite song.
Quick Quiz
The drummer hits the snare to keep a steady _____ for the singers.
Correct!
The correct answer is: beat
Examples
The beat of the drums is very loud in this room.
everydayThe beat of the drums is very loud in this room.
The conductor ensured that the orchestra maintained a steady beat.
formalThe conductor ensured that the orchestra maintained a steady beat.
I really like the beat in this new hip-hop track.
informalI really like the beat in this new hip-hop track.
The study analyzes how the human brain responds to a repetitive musical beat.
academicThe study analyzes how the human brain responds to a repetitive musical beat.
Our commercial needs a fast beat to sound more exciting to customers.
businessOur commercial needs a fast beat to sound more exciting to customers.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
on the beat
exactly at the right time in the music
off the beat
not matching the musical timing
skip a beat
to miss a pulse (often used about the heart)
Often Confused With
Beat is the steady pulse (like a clock), while rhythm is the pattern of long and short sounds.
Beat is the single unit of time; tempo is the speed at which those beats happen.
Usage Notes
Use 'beat' when you are talking about the physical pulse of the music you feel. It is a countable noun, so you can say 'the first beat' or 'four beats per measure'.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'beat' to mean the whole song or the melody, but it specifically refers to the underlying timing and percussion.
Memory Tip
Think of your heart. Your heart has a 'beat' that is steady and regular, just like the 'beat' in your favorite song.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old English word 'beatan', which means to strike or pound repeatedly.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In modern music genres like EDM and Hip-Hop, 'the beat' is often the most important element, sometimes created by a 'beatmaker'.
Quick Quiz
The drummer hits the snare to keep a steady _____ for the singers.
Correct!
The correct answer is: beat
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More music words
octave
A1An octave is the distance between two musical notes where the higher note has double the frequency of the lower one. In a standard musical scale, it includes eight notes, such as from one 'C' to the next 'C' above it.
measure
A1In music, a measure is a small section of a piece of music that contains a specific number of beats. It is the space between two vertical lines on a musical staff that helps musicians keep track of the rhythm.
guitar
A1A musical instrument that usually has six strings and a long neck. It is played by plucking or strumming the strings with your fingers or a pick.
cello
A1A large musical instrument with four strings that is played with a bow. The player sits down and holds the instrument between their knees while playing.
clarinet
A1A musical instrument shaped like a long black tube with metal keys. You play it by blowing into a mouthpiece with a single reed to create sound.
oboe
A1An oboe is a musical instrument that belongs to the woodwind family. It has a long, thin body and uses a double reed to create a high, clear, and distinct sound.
trumpet
A1A musical instrument made of brass that you play by blowing into it and pressing three valves. It has a bright, powerful sound and is often used in jazz, classical music, and marching bands.
drum
A1A musical instrument made of a hollow body covered with a tight skin or plastic. It is played by hitting it with sticks or your hands to create a rhythmic sound.
timpani
A1Timpani are large, bowl-shaped drums usually made of copper and played in an orchestra. They are also called kettledrums because they look like big pots and can be tuned to specific musical notes.
piano
A1A large musical instrument with a row of black and white keys that are pressed to make sound. It produces music by hitting wire strings with small hammers and is used in many styles of music.
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