beam

1 of 2

noun

ˈbēm 

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

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

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

beam

2 of 2

verb

beamed; beaming; beams

transitive verb

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

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

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

c

: to direct to a particular audience

a commercial beamed at middle-class voters

intransitive verb

1

: to send out rays of light

Sunlight beamed through the window.

2

: to smile with joy

The bride was beaming.

Phrases

on the beam

1

: following a guiding beam

2

: proceeding or operating correctly

Synonyms

Noun

• ray
• shaft

Verb

• radiate
• ray
• shine

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Indeed, two years ago, Helen Hu decided to walk away from the beam for good. —Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025

Femininity and French craftsmanship are on prominent display, with bespoke headboards made from Pierre Frey fabrics in every room, as well as murals from Atelier de Ricou, bird-like Lalique sconces, and restored wooden beams on the ceilings. —Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025

Verb

The workers soon recovered a small safe and the gold coins inside it, delivering the bounty to the beaming homeowner, a moment captured in a Facebook video. —James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025

Angela, having ditched her hoodie-centric wardrobe to transform into a beaming bride, also strives to honor the seriousness of the occasion—though a secret she’s been carrying makes a royal mess of the proceedings, and opens stress cracks in the relationships of both couples. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 Apr. 2025

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

Phrases Containing beam

• balance beam
• beam-ends
• beam sea
• beam splitter
• beam weapon
• full beam
• high beam
• I beam
• laser beam
• low beam
• off beam
• on her beam-ends
• sealed-beam
• warp beam

Rhymes for beam

• bream
• cream
• creme
• deem
• dream
• gleam
• meme
• ream
• scheme
• scream
• seam
• seem

Kids Definition

beam

1 of 2 noun

ˈbēm 

1

: 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

1

: to send out in beams or as a beam

2

: to send out beams of light : shine

3

: to transmit (data) electronically

4

: to smile with joy

Medical Definition

beam

noun

ˈbēm 

1

: a ray or shaft of light

2

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