beam
BEEM
Beam (noun) means a long, sturdy length of wood, steel, or concrete used to support a structure such as a floor, roof, or ship deck. Example: “The builders lifted a heavy wooden beam into place above the doorway.”
noun
1
A long, sturdy length of wood, steel, or concrete used to support a structure such as a floor, roof, or ship deck.
"The builders lifted a heavy wooden beam into place above the doorway."
"The old barn was held up by oak beams a century old."
"Engineers checked whether the steel beam could bear the extra load."
2
A ray or narrow stream of light.
"A thin beam from my torch showed the way down the path."
"A beam of sunlight cut through the curtains."
"The lighthouse beam swept across the dark water."
3
A wide, happy smile.
"Her proud beam told everyone that the exam results were good."
"He gave a huge beam when he saw his birthday cake."
"She greeted us with a beam that lit up her whole face."
verb
1
To smile broadly and happily.
"The toddler beamed at the puppy and held out her arms."
"You could see the nurse beam whenever the newborn babies arrived."
"He beamed with pride as his daughter crossed the stage."
2
To send out light, or to transmit signals or data wirelessly.
"The projector beams a bright image onto the white wall."
"Engineers beam data from the weather station to the office computer."
"The satellite beams the signal down to receivers on the ground."
How to use beam
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA supporting length of material, a ray of light, or a big happy smile — the verb can mean to smile, shine, or transmit a signal.
Common pairings
a wooden beam
a beam of light
beam with pride
beam a signal
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Word forms
- Plural
- beams
- Third person singular
- beams
- Past tense
- beamed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The builders lifted a heavy wooden _____ into place above the doorway.
Etymology
From Old English bēam, which originally meant "tree" or "piece of wood" — the sense survives in words like "boom" (a ship's spar) and in some plant names.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for beam
See all rhymes for beam →Frequently asked questions
What does “beam” mean?
The word “beam” means a long, sturdy length of wood, steel, or concrete used to support a structure such as a floor, roof, or ship deck. In plain terms, a supporting length of material, a ray of light, or a big happy smile — the verb can mean to smile, shine, or transmit a signal.
How do you pronounce “beam”?
“Beam” is pronounced BEEM (/ˈbiːm/ in IPA).
How do you use “beam” in a sentence?
Here is “beam” used in a sentence: “The old barn was held up by oak beams a century old.”
What part of speech is “beam”?
Depending on how it is used, “beam” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “beam” come from?
The word “beam” comes from Old English. From Old English bēam, which originally meant "tree" or "piece of wood" — the sense survives in words like "boom" (a ship's spar) and in some plant names.
Is “beam” a common word?
“Beam” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “beam” have?
“Beam” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long, sturdy length of wood, steel, or concrete used to support a structure such as a floor, roof, or ship deck.
What is the difference between a beam and a girder?
Both are long structural supports, but a girder is typically a large, heavy main beam that carries other, smaller beams. In everyday use "beam" is the general term for any load-bearing length of wood, steel, or concrete, while "girder" usually refers to the biggest ones in a frame or bridge.
What is the difference between a beam and a joist?
A beam is a broad term for a sturdy horizontal support, while a joist is a specific type of smaller, closely spaced beam used to hold up a floor or ceiling. Joists often rest on and transfer their load to larger beams.
What is the difference between a beam of light and a ray of light?
A ray is a single, narrow line of light, whereas a beam is generally a wider stream made up of many rays travelling together. Both senses describe light moving in a fairly straight, directed path.
What words commonly go with beam?
In the light sense, "beam" often appears in phrases like a beam of sunlight, a laser beam, or a searchlight beam. In the structural sense it pairs with words such as steel beam, roof beam, and supporting beam.
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