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beam - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'beam' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Beam [ n.]
- Any large piece of timber or iron long in proportion to its thickness, and prepared for use.
- One of the principal horizontal timbers of a building or ship.
- The width of a vessel; as, one vessel is said to have more beam than another.
- The bar of a balance, from the ends of which the scales are suspended.
- The principal stem or horn of a stag or other deer, which bears the antlers, or branches.
- The pole of a carriage.
- A cylinder of wood, making part of a loom, on which weavers wind the warp before weaving; also, the cylinder on which the cloth is rolled, as it is woven; one being called the fore beam, the other the back beam.
- The straight part or shank of an anchor.
- The main part of a plow, to which the handles and colter are secured, and to the end of which are attached the oxen or horses that draw it.
- A heavy iron lever having an oscillating motion on a central axis, one end of which is connected with the piston rod from which it receives motion, and the other with the crank of the wheel shaft; -- called also working beam or walking beam.
- A ray or collection of parallel rays emitted from the sun or other luminous body; as, a beam of light, or of heat.
- Fig.: A ray; a gleam; as, a beam of comfort.
- One of the long feathers in the wing of a hawk; -- called also beam feather.
2 . Beam [ v. i.]
- To emit beams of light.
3 . Beam [ v. t.]
- To send forth; to emit; -- followed ordinarily by forth; as, to beam forth light.

Meaning of 'beam' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . beam [ n]
Meaning (1):
- the broad side of a ship
Example in sentence:
  • they sighted land on the port beam
2 . beam [ v]
Meaning (2):
- express with a beaming face or smile
Example in sentence:
  • he beamed his approval
Meaning (3):
- have a complexion with a strong bright color, such as red or pink
Example in sentence:
  • Her face glowed when she came out of the sauna
Meaning (4):
- experience a feeling of well-being or happiness, as from good health or an intense emotion
Example in sentence:
  • Her face radiated with happiness;
  • She was beaming with joy
Meaning (5):
- emit light; be bright, as of the sun or a light
Example in sentence:
  • The fire beamed on their faces;
  • The sun shone bright that day
Meaning (6):
- broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television
Example in sentence:
  • We cannot air this X-rated song

Nearby Words:

beach beach comber beached beaches beaching beachy beacon beaconage beaconed beaconing

See 'beam' also in:

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Related Definitions

  • Side impact beam
    Side impact beam is a structural support designed to protect a vehicles occupants from side impacts.

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