A1 noun Neutral

beat

/biːt/

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 5
1

The beat of the drums is very loud in this room.

The beat of the drums is very loud in this room.

2

The conductor ensured that the orchestra maintained a steady beat.

The conductor ensured that the orchestra maintained a steady beat.

3

I really like the beat in this new hip-hop track.

I really like the beat in this new hip-hop track.

Word Family

Noun
beat
Verb
beat
Adjective
beatable
Related
beating
💡

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

1

The beat of the drums is very loud in this room.

everyday

The beat of the drums is very loud in this room.

2

The conductor ensured that the orchestra maintained a steady beat.

formal

The conductor ensured that the orchestra maintained a steady beat.

3

I really like the beat in this new hip-hop track.

informal

I really like the beat in this new hip-hop track.

4

The study analyzes how the human brain responds to a repetitive musical beat.

academic

The study analyzes how the human brain responds to a repetitive musical beat.

5

Our commercial needs a fast beat to sound more exciting to customers.

business

Our commercial needs a fast beat to sound more exciting to customers.

Word Family

Noun
beat
Verb
beat
Adjective
beatable
Related
beating

Common Collocations

steady beat a regular pulse
keep the beat staying in time with the music
drum beat the sound made by hitting a drum
strong beat a very noticeable pulse
drop the beat the moment the main rhythm starts in electronic music

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 vs rhythm

Beat is the steady pulse (like a clock), while rhythm is the pattern of long and short sounds.

beat vs tempo

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

Countable noun: beat/beats Followed by 'of': the beat of the music Often follows verbs like 'keep', 'follow', or 'feel'
🌍

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 Phrases

More music words

octave

A1

An 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

A1

In 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

A1

A 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

A1

A 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

A1

A 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

A1

An 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

A1

A 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

A1

A 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

A1

Timpani 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

A1

A 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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