low beam

noun

US
: a vehicle headlight beam with a short-range focus

Examples of low beam in a Sentence

The car's headlights were on low beam. Turn on your low beams.
Recent Examples on the Web The National Weather Service recommends motorists drive slower than normal and use low beams in foggy conditions. Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 But, while driving, the lights work just like standard high beam, low beam headlights. Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 15 Feb. 2024 But that still means driving much – or most – of the time using only low beam headlights that don’t reach very far. Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 15 Feb. 2024 How to drive in foggy conditions: The National Weather Service recommends two things: slowing down on the road and using your low beams in your car. Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2024 Simply set the high beam when hiking the trail and adjust to the low beam while making camp or reading in your tent. Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2023 The left and right side reflex reflector and left side low beam reflector may inadequately reflect light. Detroit Free Press, 2 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'low 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

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of low beam was in 1933

Dictionary Entries Near low beam

Cite this Entry

“Low beam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/low%20beam. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

low beam

noun
: a vehicle headlight beam used for short distances
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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