noun
Common
beats
beets
Beats (noun) means Regular pulses of rhythm in music, or repeated blows/strikes. Example: “The drummer counted four beats before the whole band joined in.”
noun
1
Regular pulses of rhythm in music, or repeated blows/strikes.
"The drummer counted four beats before the whole band joined in."
"The producer laid down a set of hard-hitting beats for the track."
"He felt his heart skip a few beats before walking on stage."
How to use beats
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe rhythmic pulses in music, a heartbeat's pulses, or (informally) a producer's instrumental tracks.
Common pairings
drop the beats
skip a beat
produce beats
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Word forms
- Plural
- the beats
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The drummer counted four _____ before the whole band joined in.
Etymology
Clipping of Beatrice or Beatrix + -s (hypocoristic suffix).
Synonyms
View more →
rhythms
pulses
throbs
strokes
blows
cadences
beatniks
Related words
Rhymes for beats
See all rhymes for beats →Frequently asked questions
What does “beats” mean?
The word “beats” means regular pulses of rhythm in music, or repeated blows/strikes. In plain terms, the rhythmic pulses in music, a heartbeat's pulses, or (informally) a producer's instrumental tracks.
How do you pronounce “beats”?
“Beats” is pronounced beets (/biːts/ in IPA).
How do you use “beats” in a sentence?
Here is “beats” used in a sentence: “The producer laid down a set of hard-hitting beats for the track.”
What part of speech is “beats”?
“Beats” is a noun.
Is “beats” a common word?
“Beats” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a "beat" and a "rhythm"?
A beat is a single, regular pulse in music, like the steady count you tap your foot to, while rhythm is the overall pattern of long and short sounds arranged over those beats. Beats provide the underlying pulse; rhythm is the pattern built on top.
What is the difference between "beats" and "bars" in music?
A beat is a single rhythmic pulse, while a bar (or measure) is a group of beats, commonly four, that repeats through a piece. Several beats make up one bar.
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