beam

¹beam

noun \ˈbēm\

Definition of BEAM

1

a : a long piece of heavy often squared timber suitable for use in construction

b : a wood or metal cylinder in a loom on which the warp is wound

c : the part of a plow to which handles, standard, and coulter are attached

d : the bar of a balance from which scales hang

e : one of the principal horizontal supporting members (as of a building or ship) <a steel beam supporting a floor>; also : boom, spar <the beam of a crane>

f : the extreme width of a ship at the widest part

g : an oscillating lever on a central axis receiving motion at one end from an engine connecting rod and transmitting it at the other

2

a : a ray or shaft of light

b : a collection of nearly parallel rays (as X rays) or a stream of particles (as electrons)

c : a constant directional radio signal transmitted for the guidance of pilots; also : the course indicated by a radio beam

3

: the main stem of a deer's antler

4

: the width of the buttocks

— on the beam

1

: following a guiding beam

2

: proceeding or operating correctly

Examples of BEAM

1. a bright beam of light
2. We saw the beams from their flashlights.
3. the building's steel support beams

Origin of BEAM

Middle English beem, from Old English bēam tree, beam; akin to Old High German boum tree

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BEAM

Synonyms

shaft, ray

Related Words

moonbeam, sunbeam, sunburst; laser, spotlight

Other Wood Production Terms

cord, lumber, punk

Rhymes with BEAM

bream, cream, deem, deme, dream, gleam, meme, neem, Nîmes, ream, scheme, scream, seam, seem, seme, steam, stream, team, teem, theme

²beam

verb

Definition of BEAM

transitive verb

1

: to emit in beams or as a beam

2

: to support with beams

3

a : to transmit especially by satellite : broadcast

b : to transmit (data) electronically

c : to direct to a particular audience

intransitive verb

1

: to send out beams of light

2

: to smile with joy

Examples of BEAM

1. She beamed as she told us the good news.
2. They stood beaming with satisfaction.
3. “We're getting married!” he beamed.
4. The sun beamed its light through the window.
5. Pictures of the distant planet were beamed back to the Earth.

First Known Use of BEAM

15th century

Related to BEAM

Synonyms

shine, radiate, ray

Related Words

blaze, burn, fire, flame, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glister, glitter, glow, luminesce, sheen, shimmer; blink, coruscate, flare, flash, flicker, luster (or lustre), scintillate, spangle, sparkle, twinkle, wink, winkle; beat (down), glare; brighten, illuminate, illumine, irradiate, light, lighten; bedazzle, blind, daze, dazzle

Near Antonyms

blacken, darken; lower (also lour)

beam

noun \ˈbēm\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of BEAM

1

: a ray or shaft of light

2

: a collection of nearly parallel rays (as X-rays) or a stream of particles (as electrons)

beam

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In building construction, a horizontal member spanning an opening and carrying a load. The load may be a wall above the opening (see post-and-beam system) or it may be a floor or roof. Beams may be of wood, steel or other metals, reinforced or prestressed concrete, plastic, or even brick with steel reinforcement. For weight reduction, metal beams are I-shaped, having a thin vertical web and thicker horizontal flanges where greater stress occurs. A joist is any of a series of small parallel beams supporting a floor or roof. See also girder, spandrel.