high beam

noun

: a vehicle headlight beam with a long-range focus

Examples of high beam in a Sentence

The car's headlights were on high beam. Turn off your high beams.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Multiple readers noted that motorists in vehicles new and old drive around with their high beams constantly on. Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 11 Jan. 2026 Standard safety and assist systems include automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind spot alert and automatic high beams. Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 28 Dec. 2025 Foggy conditions are hard to drive in and high beams can make driving more difficult, according to AAA. Sacbee.com, 15 Dec. 2025 Lane-tracing assist, emergency steering assist, road-sign recognition, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking are standard. James Raia, Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for high beam

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of high beam was in 1932

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“High beam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/high%20beam. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

high beam

noun
: a vehicle headlight beam aimed for long distances
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!