beam

beam · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A long, sturdy piece of timber or metal used as a structural support.

  2. 2.

    A ray or shaft of light.

  3. 3.

    A radiant smile.

  4. 4.

    [gymnastics]The balance beam apparatus.

  5. 5.

    The width of a ship at its widest point.

  6. 6.

    Emit light or shine brightly.

  7. 7.

    Smile radiantly.

  8. 8.

    Transmit (a signal or broadcast).

Forms

plural: beams

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    beam with pride — Show great happiness and pride.
  • •
    off beam — Wrong; mistaken.
  • •
    on the beam — Correct; on the right track.
  • •
    balance beam — Gymnastics apparatus.
  • •
    beam me up — Teleport (from Star Trek).
  • •
    broad in the beam — Having wide hips (informal).

Related words

See also: girder, light, ray, smile
Synonyms: girder, joist, ray

Etymology

From Old English beam ("tree, post, ray of light"), from Proto-Germanic baumaz ("tree").