beam

The definition of beam is a piece of wood, metal or steel which is typically long and squared that can be used as a building material.

(noun)

An example of a beam is a 24 inch by 24 inch square piece of wood used in the framing of a house.

Beam is defined as a column of light, or a condensed flowing of particles, waves, or signals.

(noun)

An example of a beam is the illumination produced from a lighthouse.
An example of a beam is the electromagnetic waves generated to broadcast a radio station to the public.

Beam means to release a column of light, or to release a condensed flowing of particles, waves, or signals of any type.

(verb)

An example of beam is to turn on a car’s headlights.
An example of beam is to operate an x-ray machine whose electromagnetic waves allow it to see through solid objects.
An example of beam is to send out radio signals from a satellite in order for people to enjoy a variety of music from their vehicle and/or TV.

Beam is to grin from ear to ear with happiness.

(verb)

An example of beam is to smile big when graduating from college.

See beam in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Obsolete the squared-off trunk of a tree
1. a long, thick piece of wood, metal, or stone, used in building
2. such a piece used as a horizontal support for a roof, ceiling, etc.
one of the two large rollers of a loom the barlike, horizontal part of a plow, to which the handles, share, etc. are attached the crossbar of a balance; also, occasionally, the balance itself the main shaft of a deer's antler any of the heavy, horizontal crosspieces of a ship a ship's breadth at its widest point the side of a ship or the direction extending outward on either side at right angles to the fore-and-aft line of a ship, aircraft, etc.Slang the width of the hipsGym. balance beamMech. a lever that is moved back and forth by a piston rod and transmits its motion to the crank, etc. as in some early steam engines
Origin: orig. transl. of L columna lucis, column of light
a shaft or stream of light or other radiation, as of X-rays or nuclear particles: also used figuratively a radiant look, smile, etc. a stream of radio or radar signals sent continuously in one direction from a landing field, harbor, etc. as a guide for incoming aircraft or ships

Origin: ME < OE, a tree, piece of wood, column; akin to Ger baum, Du boom, tree

transitive verb

intransitive verb

See beam in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A squared-off log or a large, oblong piece of timber, metal, or stone used especially as a horizontal support in construction.
Nautical
a. A transverse structural member of a ship's frame, used to support a deck and to brace the sides against stress.
b. The breadth of a ship at the widest point.
c. The side of a ship: sighted land off the starboard beam.
Informal The widest part of a person's hips: broad in the beam.
A steel tube or wooden roller on which the warp is wound in a loom.
An oscillating lever connected to an engine piston rod and used to transmit power to the crankshaft.
a. The bar of a balance from which weighing pans are suspended.
b. Sports A balance beam.
The main horizontal bar on a plow to which the share, colter, and handles are attached.
One of the main stems of a deer's antlers.
a. A ray or shaft of light.
b. A concentrated stream of particles or a similar propagation of waves: a beam of protons; a beam of light.
A radio beam.