1
a
: a long piece of heavy often squared timber suitable for use in construction
b
weaving
: a wood or metal cylinder in a loom on which the warp (see warp entry 1 sense 1a) 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
f
nautical
: the extreme width of a ship at the widest part
g
engines
: 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
beams from the searchlights
b
: a collection of nearly parallel rays (such as X-rays) or a stream of particles (such 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
… immensely broad in the beam …—
Ann Bridge
Ann Bridge
beamed; beaming; beams
1
: to emit in beams or as a beam (see beam entry 1 sense 2)
The sun beamed its light through the window.
2
: to support with beams (see beam entry 1 sense 1)
The house was beamed with heavy timbers.
3
a
: to transmit especially by satellite : broadcast
… the 90-minute show was beamed to more than 200 countries and territories around the world.—TV Guide
TV Guide
b
: to transmit (data) electronically
beaming images of the planet back to Earth
The amount of data beamed over fiber-optic networks is rising exponentially every year, yet only 0.1% of fiber capacity is in use.—Leslie Cauley
Leslie Cauley
especially
: to transmit (data) wirelessly
Infrared connectivity enables users to work collaboratively on documents without having to log on to the network, and for quickly "beaming" data between different devices (for example, between two notebooks, or between a notebook and a printer, without a need for a cable). —Newsweek
Newsweek
c
: to direct to a particular audience
a commercial beamed at middle-class voters
1
: to send out rays of light
Sunlight beamed through the window.
2
: to smile with joy
The bride was beaming.
Examples of beam in a Sentence
Noun
a bright beam of light
We saw the beams from their flashlights.
the building's steel support beams
Verb
She beamed as she told us the good news.
They stood beaming with satisfaction.
“We're getting married!” he beamed.
The sun beamed its light through the window.
Pictures of the distant planet were beamed back to the Earth.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebMark David, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2023
Light from all galaxies and stars takes time to travel, and these beams of light carry information from the distant past.
—Adi Foord, University Of Maryland, Discover Magazine, 17 Nov. 2023
One section focuses on annotations and inscriptions artists wrote on the backs of pieces, while another shows painting stretchers, including the original cross beams of Pablo Picasso’s Guernica, according to the Observer.
—Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Nov. 2023
Think high ceilings, exposed wood beams, Zellige brick living room floors, and a unique natural stone bathroom vanity.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2023
Otherwise, their only natural light beams through the ship’s tiny portholes.
—Jake Offenhartz, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 Oct. 2023
The laser that proved most effective ended up having a 45 mm (about 1.8 inches) beam that could move over dust in a specific pattern that produced triangular shapes.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 27 Oct. 2023
Underneath the putting surface, Macaulay explains, three concentric circles of steel are held up by more than 500 beams and 49 steel supports bolted to the concrete floor.
—WIRED, 9 Nov. 2023
My first glimpse of Mongolia was of rolling hills draped in thin emerald grass, of cloud shadows the size of lakes and of raking beams of morning light breaking through a heavy sky.
—Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023
Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
The 2014 trial attracted global attention as the details of Steenkamp’s death were beamed around the world.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 24 Nov. 2023
Generally, these telescopes beam down data to ground stations or nearby satellites.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Nov. 2023
Children beam with delight when Carey joins in a game or a group therapy session.
—Rob Williams, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023
Lounging on a couch before the interview starts, his demeanor is as chill as his beaming platinum grill looks.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 12 Nov. 2023
Starlink beams the internet to ground stations, allowing users in remote areas to connect to the web.
—Christian Davenport, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023
Parker's grandmother stood at her side during her victory speech, beaming with pride as Parker spoke of her modest upbringing.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2023
McCarley wanted to beam in live coaching from a studio outfitted with cameras and displays to mimic being on a golf course.
—WIRED, 9 Nov. 2023
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Noun
The architect employed mass timber construction technology, a low-carbon alternative to steel and concrete, and the flooring was milled using the recycled hardwood from the building’s original structural beams.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2023
Light from all galaxies and stars takes time to travel, and these beams of light carry information from the distant past.
—Adi Foord, University Of Maryland, Discover Magazine, 17 Nov. 2023
One section focuses on annotations and inscriptions artists wrote on the backs of pieces, while another shows painting stretchers, including the original cross beams of Pablo Picasso’s Guernica, according to the Observer.
—Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Nov. 2023
Think high ceilings, exposed wood beams, Zellige brick living room floors, and a unique natural stone bathroom vanity.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2023
Otherwise, their only natural light beams through the ship’s tiny portholes.
—Jake Offenhartz, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 Oct. 2023
The laser that proved most effective ended up having a 45 mm (about 1.8 inches) beam that could move over dust in a specific pattern that produced triangular shapes.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 27 Oct. 2023
Underneath the putting surface, Macaulay explains, three concentric circles of steel are held up by more than 500 beams and 49 steel supports bolted to the concrete floor.
—WIRED, 9 Nov. 2023
My first glimpse of Mongolia was of rolling hills draped in thin emerald grass, of cloud shadows the size of lakes and of raking beams of morning light breaking through a heavy sky.
—Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023
Verb
The pair beamed with happiness while posing for the photo with crayons and a watercolor kit sprawled beside them.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
The 2014 trial attracted global attention as the details of Steenkamp’s death were beamed around the world.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 24 Nov. 2023
Generally, these telescopes beam down data to ground stations or nearby satellites.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Nov. 2023
Children beam with delight when Carey joins in a game or a group therapy session.
—Rob Williams, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023
Lounging on a couch before the interview starts, his demeanor is as chill as his beaming platinum grill looks.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 12 Nov. 2023
Starlink beams the internet to ground stations, allowing users in remote areas to connect to the web.
—Christian Davenport, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023
Parker's grandmother stood at her side during her victory speech, beaming with pride as Parker spoke of her modest upbringing.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2023
McCarley wanted to beam in live coaching from a studio outfitted with cameras and displays to mimic being on a golf course.
—WIRED, 9 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'beam.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English beem, from Old English bēam tree, beam; akin to Old High German boum tree
Verb
Middle English bemen, verbal derivative of bem, beem beam entry 1
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of beam was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing beam
Dictionary Entries Near beam
Cite this Entry
“Beam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beam. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
beam
1 of 2 noun1
: a long heavy piece of timber or metal used especially as a main horizontal support of a building or ship
2
: the bar of a balance from which scales hang
3
: the width of a ship at its widest part
4
a
: a ray of light
b
: a collection of nearly parallel rays (as X-rays) or a stream of particles (as electrons)
5
: a constant radio signal sent out to guide pilots along a course
beam
2 of 2 verb
Medical Definition
beam
noun1
: a ray or shaft of light
2
: a collection of nearly parallel rays (as X-rays) or a stream of particles (as electrons)
More from Merriam-Webster on beam
Nglish: Translation of beam for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of beam for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about beam
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