wing beat

British

noun

a complete cycle of moving the wing by a bird when flying

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The partially toothless Jack Hughes, left alone on the left wing, beat Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington cleanly 1:41 into the extra period to set off a wild celebration for the Americans.

From Los Angeles Times

“They have a massive beak and a slow wing beat,” Jim said, “but they turn into a torpedo in the water.”

From Washington Post

The left wing beat Canucks defenseman Erik Gudbranson in Vancouver’s end and put a hard shot on net.

From Washington Times

He was trying to maintain his composure, but Inej could hear panic pulsing against his words, the startled wing beat of a frightened bird.

From Literature

Seeing as I've been able to keep my attention focused for longer than a hummingbird's wing beat, I'll also mention this is disturbing precedent.

From New York Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023