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

On the main level, the house offers an airy living room is accented by massive wooden ceiling beams, triangular clerestory windows, a stone fireplace, and two sets of glassy French doors leading to the gardens. —James McClain, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2024

Jude Law, who played Dickie in 1999's The Talented Mr. Ripley, is turning his beams toward the latest adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel, Netflix's Ripley. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024

Each standalone home is made from local volcanic stone and features traditional wooden beams, high ceilings, and bright red doors and windows. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2024

The design includes contoured beams for more support and comfort. —Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024

The science behind the Sacramento Kings’ beam Seven lasers power the purple beam for a combined power of 8,800 watts. —Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024

Ree's vision included Spanish ranch elements — such as arched doorways and exposed wood ceiling beams — as well as a charcoal, blue and rust palette, with pops of yellow, throughout the house. —Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024

Toward the end of its run, employees began to notice that the beams holding the roof up began to move further apart. —Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024

Depending on the type of building, retrofit fixes include adding such supporting elements as steel frames or beams, installing new concrete walls or repairing vulnerable welds. —Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

Verb

Judy McCreery absolutely beamed with pride after watching her son welcomed into the prestigious Opry Family. —Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2024

In early January 2022, Kryst joined her family for an annual trip to Universal Studios in Florida, beaming while posing with her siblings in snapshots. —Eileen Finan, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2024

Last week's death of O.J. Simpson, whose murder trial beamed live from a California courtroom captivated a nation three decades ago, was a telling reminder of how New York is behind the times — or, at least, a holdout. —David Bauder, Quartz, 16 Apr. 2024

In a sense, TV episodes are just short movies beamed into your living room. —Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2024

Somewhere in the heavens, Marlon Perkins was beaming. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2024

Will Clark, Jake Peavy and Dusty Baker hung around the dugout before the game, beaming smiles (even Clark). —Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024

Since then, SpaceX’s tests have shown the satellites can successfully beam internet to smartphones with speeds up to 17Mbps. —Michael Kan, PCMAG, 5 Apr. 2024

Proud parents Kirk and Tammy Franklin are beaming right now because their son, Caziah Franklin, just announced his engagement. —Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024

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
• on the beam
• sealed-beam
• warp beam

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 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)