beam
noun
\ ˈbēm
\
\
Definition of beam
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: 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
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
2a
: 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
on the beam
1
: following a guiding beam
2
: proceeding or operating correctly
beam
verb
beamed;
beaming;
beams
Definition of beam (Entry 2 of 2)
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.
3a
: 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
1
: to send out rays of light
Sunlight beamed through the window.
2
: to smile with joy
The bride was beaming.
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Examples of beam in a Sentence
Noun
a bright beam of light We saw the beams from their flashlights. the building's steel support beamsVerb
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
Police also have characterized laser pointers — which protesters have used to distract officers and deter surveillance cameras — as a threat, by demonstrating at a news conference how their light beams could burn a hole in a sheet of paper. — Washington Post, "A run on gas masks: Hong Kong protesters circumvent crackdown on protective gear," 15 Aug. 2019 Open floor plan on upper story with vaulted ceilings, I-beams. — Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, "Home sale prices from San Jose and Peninsula areas, August 9," 9 Aug. 2019 The 40-seat main dining room and bar has a beachy-casual, yet solid, feel with its heavy wooden beams, stone floors, and wood ceiling. — Joan Wilder, BostonGlobe.com, "Lap up Mediterranean by the beach," 4 July 2019 Trustees, district administrators, community leaders and construction officials gathered to sign their names on the last beam on Thursday, July 18. — Kristi Nix, Houston Chronicle, "Stafford MSD celebrates topping out ceremony for new $33.8M middle school," 19 July 2019 About 6,000 Hollywood Studios employees signed their names on a 40-foot long steel beam that was installed into the tallest point of the landscape and has since been hidden from view. — Gabrielle Russon, orlandosentinel.com, "Disney Star Wars: 1,700 employees hired for new land," 8 July 2019 Some visitors were concerned about a memorial beam engraved with the names of six surfers who died in Newport waters. — Julia Sclafani, latimes.com, "The Wedge in Newport Beach gets temporary lifeguard tower in time for start of summer," 24 June 2019 Then came the sweep of a flashlight beam across his bedroom. — Tribune News Service, oregonlive.com, "The Man in the Window: Closing in on DeAngelo (Part Four)," 23 June 2019 Eugenia Verlezza, 15, of Weston, took a fourth-place finish on floor, while Leah Barnes, 18, of Miramar, finished 13th on beam. — Emmett Hall, sun-sentinel.com, "Park Avenue Gymnasts give golden performance on national stage," 20 June 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Paul was beaming and going on and on about Saoirse and freedom, freedom and Saoirse. — Kevin Cullen, BostonGlobe.com, "Courtney Kennedy and Paul Hill’s enduring agony," 3 Aug. 2019 Tonight, Troxler is beaming the underground to the world via Boiler Room. — Katie Bain, Billboard, "Seth Troxler Discusses The Evolution of Ibiza & Gentrification of Electronic Music," 26 July 2019 Bindi Irwin is beaming in her recent photos, which were taken shortly after her engagement to her longtime boyfriend Chandler Powell. — Blake Bakkila, Good Housekeeping, "Steve Irwin’s Wife Terri Shares How Her Husband Would React to Bindi’s Engagement," 24 July 2019 In the first photo, George is beaming at the camera in an England soccer jersey. — Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire, "Prince George's 6th Birthday Portraits Are the Best Ones Yet," 21 July 2019 The office television was beaming red-carpet moments from all-star games of the past. — Mark Kiszla, The Denver Post, "Kiszla: All-star David Dahl a smash hit for Rockies, but can Blake Street Bombers 2.0 slug their way to playoffs?," 30 June 2019 Best Mother Daughter Style Duo Rihanna and her mom, Monica Braithwaite, were captured beaming with pride at this week’s launch of Rihanna first Fenty collection. — Tatum Dooley, Teen Vogue, "What Bella Hadid, Miley Cyrus and Rihanna Wore This Week," 31 May 2019 Matthew Mazzucca, Barneys creative director, was beaming in a knit Browne polo at the launch event, declaring the designer an ideal collaborator whose vibrant spirit matched the creativity and occasional kookiness of Barneys. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "Thom Browne's Dinner With Barneys New York Was a Parade of Polos, Octopus Gowns, and Whale-Print Silk Separates," 11 Sep. 2018 At the fall 2018 Oscar de la Renta collection — presented under the stunning ceiling of the Cunard Building on Monday at New York Fashion Week — the Hollywood stylists in the front row were beaming. — Booth Moore, The Hollywood Reporter, "Oscar de la Renta Runway Has Met Gala's 'Heavenly Bodies' Dressing Theme Handled," 13 Feb. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'beam.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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