What is a beat?

A beat can refer to several different things depending on the context. In music, a beat is a unit of time that is typically counted in a regular pattern, such as 4/4 time in Western music. In poetry, a beat refers to the stressed syllables in a line of verse. In slang, a beat can also mean tired or exhausted. Additionally, in journalism, a beat is a specific area or topic that a reporter is assigned to cover.