Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense beams, present participle beaming, past tense, past participle beamed
1. verb
If you say that someone is beaming, you mean that they have a big smile on their face because they are happy, pleased, or proud about something.
[written]
Frances beamed at her friend with undisguised admiration. [V + at/with]
'Welcome back,' she beamed. [VERB with quote]
...the beaming face of a 41-year-old man on the brink of achieving his dreams. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: smile, grin, be all smiles More Synonyms of beam
2. countable noun [usually noun NOUN]
A beam is a line of energy, radiation, or particles sent in a particular direction.
...high-energy laser beams.
...a beam of neutrons. [+ of]
3. verb
If something beams radio signals or television pictures or they are beamed somewhere, they are sent there by means of electronic equipment.
The interview was beamed live across the state. [beVERB-ed preposition/adverb]
The live satellite broadcast was beamed into homes across America. [VERB preposition/adverb]
...a ship which is due to begin beaming radio broadcasts to South East Asia. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: transmit, show, air, broadcast More Synonyms of beam
4. countable noun [noun NOUN]
A beamof light is a line of light that shines from an object such as a lamp.
5. verb
If something such as the sun or a lamp beams down, it sends light to a place and shines on it.
A sharp white spot-light beamed down on a small stage. [VERB adverb/preposition]
All you see of the outside world is the sunlight beaming through the cracks in theroof. [VERB adverb/preposition]
Synonyms: radiate, flash, shine, glow More Synonyms of beam
6. countable noun
A beam is a long thick bar of wood, metal, or concrete, especially one used to support the roof of a building.
The ceilings are supported by oak beams.
Synonyms: rafter, support, timber, spar More Synonyms of beam
7. singular noun [usually theNOUN]
In gymnastics, thebeam is a piece of equipment that consists of a narrow wooden bar on which gymnasts balance and perform movements.
8. See also off-beam
More Synonyms of beam
beam in British English
(biːm)
noun
1.
a long thick straight-sided piece of wood, metal, concrete, etc, esp one used as a horizontal structural member
2.
any rigid member or structure that is loaded transversely
3.
the breadth of a ship or boat taken at its widest part, usually amidships
4.
a ray or column of light, as from a beacon
5.
a broad smile
6.
one of the two cylindrical rollers on a loom, one of which holds the warp threads before weaving, the other the finished work
7.
the main stem of a deer's antler from which the smaller branches grow
8.
the central shaft of a plough to which all the main parts are attached
9.
a narrow unidirectional flow of electromagnetic radiation or particles
a beam of light
an electron beam
10.
the horizontal centrally pivoted bar in a balance
11. informal
the width of the hips (esp in the phrase broad in the beam)
12. a beam in one's eye
13. off beam
14. on the beam
verb
15.
to send out or radiate (rays of light)
16. (transitive)
to divert or aim (a radio signal or broadcast, light, etc) in a certain direction
the event will be beamed live from Tokyo
17.
to pass (data, esp business card details, etc) from one handheld computer to anotherby means of infrared beams
18. (intransitive)
to smile broadly with pleasure or satisfaction
Derived forms
beamed
adjective
beaming (ˈbeaming)
adjective, noun
beamless (ˈbeamless)
adjective
beamlike (ˈbeamˌlike)
adjective
beamy (ˈbeamy)
adjective
Word origin
Old English beam; related to Gothic bagms tree, Old High German boum tree
beam in American English
(bim)
noun
1.
a. Obsolete
the squared-off trunk of a tree
b.
a.
a long, thick piece of wood, metal, or stone, used in building
b.
such a piece used as a horizontal support for a roof, ceiling, etc.
c.
one of the two large rollers of a loom
d.
the barlike, horizontal part of a plow, to which the handles, share, etc. are attached
e.
the crossbar of a balance; also, occasionally, the balance itself
f.
the main shaft of a deer's antler
see also bay antler
g.
any of the heavy, horizontal crosspieces of a ship
h.
a ship's breadth at its widest point
i.
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.
j. Slang
the width of the hips
k. Gymnastics
balance beam
l. Mechanics
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
2.
a.
a shaft or stream of light or other radiation, as of X-rays or nuclear particles
also used figuratively
b.
a radiant look, smile, etc.
c.
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
verb transitive
3.
to give out (shafts of light); radiate in a beam or beams
4.
to direct or aim (a radio signal, program, etc.)
5.
to construct (a ceiling) so that the beams are exposed
verb intransitive
6.
to shine brightly; be radiant
7.
to smile warmly
Idioms:
beam in one's own eye
off the beam
on the beam
Word origin
ME < OE, a tree, piece of wood, column; akin to Ger baum, Du boom, tree; (sense 2) orig. transl. of L columna lucis, column of light
beam in Mechanical Engineering
(bim)
Word forms: (regular plural) beams
noun
(Mechanical engineering: General)
A beam is a horizontal part of a structure used to carry a load.
Steel beams supported the roof.
When a vertical load is applied to a horizontal beam it will bend.
A beam is a horizontal part of a structure used to carry a load.
More idioms containing
beam
be way off beam
Examples of 'beam' in a sentence
beam
The red peaks dancing across the screen represent insects crossing the laser beam.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
The megawatt beam on her face said it all.
The Sun (2017)
The nine rooms are smart, with exposed beams and floral fabrics.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It had beamed back data for 12 years on how the solar system was formed.
The Sun (2016)
Rooms are small but comfortable, with exposed beams.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Laser beams can currently be weakened or blocked by clouds but experts say the more powerful lasers of the future may be less affected by weather.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The villas sleep six in three bedrooms and the interiors are a beautiful blend of original stone walls, oak beams and large fireplaces with contemporary furniture.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
With stone façades and exposed beams, the hotel is spread over two buildings and has 11 rooms and suites.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This guy that I watched - his eyes were like laser beams.
The Sun (2016)
Instead she beams with energy as she outlines the good things in her life.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It does this with the aid of infrared beams and optical sensors.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It beams a radio signal that bounces back off a metallic object.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The property is a converted farmhouse with thick stone walls and oak beams.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
So my holiday went from slippery beam to beaming smiles.
The Sun (2015)
In the main bedroom imposing beams support a domed roof space above the double bed.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There were exposed beams and a neat chest of drawers.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The balance beam is only twelve inches off the fully carpeted floor.
Christianity Today (2000)
It consists of a long beam or bar on which two points are attached.
Chapman, C. & Horsley, M. & Small, E. Technology Basic Facts (1990)
Thick wooden beams serve as desk tops.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
His legs and a shoulder are blocked by metal beams.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
When they came back their rosy faces beamed.
Johanna Spyri Heidi (1881)
The giveaways are the concrete beams and the ubiquitous air conditioning.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This movement alters the range of the beam from narrow and direct to wide and diffuse.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
When mosquitoes were put in a chamber with an infrared beam they appeared to try to avoid the beam.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He spent as much time dabbling with artistic and literary pursuits as he did with frequency counters and laser beams.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
And as one the jury beamed back their gratitude, as pleased as a patted dog.
James Fergusson KANDAHAR COCKNEY: A Tale of Two Worlds (2004)
The plane can beam live video of the sea and stay airborne for 12 hours.
The Sun (2015)
High energy beams will leave surrounding flesh untouched meaning much higher doses can be blasted at high-risk areas.
The Sun (2016)
Rather than open beams, the room has a plaster ceiling formed into rectangular panels but leaving the central wood beam uncovered.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Word lists with
beam
gymnastics
In other languages
beam
British English: beam /biːm/ NOUN
A beam of light is a line of light that shines from an object such as a torch or the sun.
American English: beam
Arabic: شُعَاع
Brazilian Portuguese: feixe de luz
Chinese: 光束
Croatian: zraka
Czech: paprsek světla
Danish: stråle
Dutch: straal
European Spanish: rayo
Finnish: säde
French: rayon
German: Strahl
Greek: δέσμη
Italian: raggio
Japanese: 笑顔
Korean: 환한 미소
Norwegian: stråle
Polish: promienny uśmiech
European Portuguese: feixe
Romanian: rază
Russian: пучок a long thick straight-sided piece of wood, metal, concrete, etc
Latin American Spanish: rayo
Swedish: bjälke
Thai: ลำแสง
Turkish: ışın
Ukrainian: промінь
Vietnamese: tia
British English: beam VERB
If you say that someone is beaming, you mean that they have a big smile on their face because they are happy, pleased, or proud about something.
She beamed at her friend with undisguised admiration.
He approached with outstretched arms, beaming a smile of welcome.
American English: beam
Brazilian Portuguese: sorrir
Chinese: 绽开笑容
European Spanish: sonreír abiertamente
French: rayonner
German: strahlen
Italian: fare un sorriso smagliante
Japanese: にっこりとする
Korean: 환하게 웃다
European Portuguese: sorrir
Latin American Spanish: sonreír abiertamente
All related terms of 'beam'
H-beam
a rolled steel joist or girder with a cross section in the form of a capital letter H
I-beam
a rolled steel joist or a girder with a cross section in the form of a capital letter I
beam axle
A beam axle is a rigid beam which connects a nearside (= on the side near the pavement ) wheel and an offside (= on the side away from the pavement) wheel.
beam-ends
the ends of a vessel's beams
beam hole
a hole in the shield of a nuclear reactor through which a beam of radiation, esp of neutrons , is allowed to escape for experimental purposes
beam pump
A beam pump is an artificial-lift pumping system which uses a type of reciprocating pump to extract oil from an inland well.
box beam
a girder that is hollow and square or rectangular in shape
deck beam
a stiffening deck member supported at its extremities by knee connections to frames or bulkheads
full beam
the brightest light transmitted from car headlights
high beam
a function of vehicle headlights providing allowing you to see further
low beam
the dimmer , shorter-range setting of a vehicle's headlights
main beam
a long thick bar of wood, metal, or concrete used in the construction of houses which transmits its load directly to a wall or column , as opposed to another beam
off beam
If you describe something or someone as off-beam , you mean that they are wrong or inaccurate.
tail beam
an extension or appendage that lengthens or completes something
tie beam
a horizontal beam that serves to prevent two other structural members from separating, esp one that connects two corresponding rafters in a roof or roof truss
warp beam
the roller on which the top is wound in a loom
beam aerial
an aerial system, such as a Yagi aerial, having directional properties
beam engine
an early type of steam engine , in which a pivoted beam is vibrated by a vertical steam cylinder at one end, so that it transmits motion to the workload , such as a pump , at the other end
beam riding
a method of missile guidance in which the missile steers itself along the axis of a conically scanned microwave beam
hammer beam
either of a pair of short horizontal beams that project from opposite walls to support arched braces and struts
laser beam
a narrow beam of light produced by a laser
radio beam
a narrow beam of radio signals transmitted by a radio or radar beacon , radio telescope , or some other directional aerial , used for communications , navigation , etc
sealed-beam
(esp of a car headlight ) having a lens and prefocused reflector sealed in the lamp vacuum
balance beam
a long, narrow, horizontal wooden beam raised about 4 feet (1.2 m) above the floor , on which women gymnasts perform balancing routines consisting of jumps , tumbles , turns, running steps , etc.
beam antenna
an aerial system, such as a Yagi aerial, having directional properties
beam balance
a piece of apparatus used for artistic gymnastics
beam compass
an instrument for drawing large circles or arcs , consisting of a horizontal beam along which two vertical legs slide
beam splitter
a system that divides a beam of light, electrons , etc, into two or more paths
electron beam
a beam or stream of electrons emitted by a single source that move in the same direction and at the same speed
landing beam
a radio beam transmitted from a landing field to enable aircraft to make an instrument landing
particle beam
a stream of energized particles produced by a particle accelerator
sandwich beam
a composite beam in which a viscoelastic layer is sandwiched between two elastic layers
spreader beam
a crosspiece for spacing the chains or cables hanging from the boom of a crane
cantilever beam
a long thick straight-sided piece of wood, metal, concrete , etc that is fixed at one end and is free at the other
molecular beam
a parallel beam of molecules that are at low pressure and suffer no interatomic or intermolecular collisions
off the beam
not following the direction of a guiding beam , as an airplane
on the beam
following a radio beam to maintain a course
universal beam
a broad-flanged rolled steel joist suitable for a stanchion ( axial load ) or beam ( bending load)
be way off beam
to be completely wrong or mistaken
on her beam-ends
(of a vessel ) heeled over through an angle of 90°
on the beam-ends
tipping so far to the side as to be in danger of capsizing
cloth roll
a roller , located at the front of a loom , on which woven material is wound after it leaves the breast beam
on one's beam-ends
out of resources ; destitute
particle beam weapon
a weapon that fires particle beams into the atmosphere or space
sealed-beam headlight
a car headlight having a lens and prefocused reflector sealed in the lamp vacuum
breastsummer
a girder extending across a large opening in a building to support the wall above, used primarily over shop-fronts
a beam in one's eye
a fault or grave error greater in oneself than in another person
beam in one's own eye
a major moral flaw in oneself which one ignores while criticizing minor faults in others
straining piece
a horizontal tie beam that connects the top of two queen posts of a roof truss
Chinese translation of 'beam'
beam
(biːm)
n(c)
[of wood, metal]梁 (liáng) (根, gēn)
[of light]束 (shù)
(Rad, Phys) 射线(線) (shèxiàn) (条(條), tiáo)
vi
(= smile) 喜形于(於)色 (xǐ xíng yú sè)
(= shine) 发(發)光 (fāguāng)
vt
(= send)[signals, pictures]播送 (bōsòng)
to drive on full or main or (US) high beam驾(駕)车(車)时(時)，前大灯(燈)都开(開)着(著) (jiàchē shí, qián dàdēng dōu kāizhe)
1 (verb)
Definition
to smile broadly
She beamed at her friend with undisguised admiration.
Synonyms
smile
He smiled and waved.
grin
He grinned, delighted at the memory.
be all smiles
2 (verb)
Definition
to divert or aim (a radio signal, light, etc.) in a certain direction
The interview was beamed live across America.
Synonyms
transmit
letters begging them to transmit the programme daily
show
The drama will be shown on American TV.
air
Tonight, the channel will air a documentary called `Democracy in Action'.
broadcast
CNN also broadcasts programmes in Europe.
cable
send out
relay
It will be used mainly to relay television programmes.
televise
Every stage of the race will be televised.
stream
radio
emit
The stove emitted a cloud of evil-smelling smoke.
put on the air
3 (verb)
Definition
to send out or radiate
A sharp white spotlight beamed down on a small stage.
Synonyms
radiate
From here contaminated air radiates out to the open countryside.
flash
Lightning flashed among the distant dark clouds.
shine
It is a mild morning and the sun is shining.
glow
The expectant mothers positively glowed with pride.
glitter
The palace glittered with lights.
glare
gleam
His red sports car gleamed in the sun.
emit light
give off light
1 (noun)
Definition
a ray of light
a beam of light
Synonyms
ray
The first rays of light spread over the horizon.
bar
flash
a sudden flash of lightning
stream
glow
The rising sun cast a golden glow over the fields.
radiation
streak
emission
shaft
A brilliant shaft of sunlight burst through the doorway.
gleam
the gleam of the headlights
glint
glints of sunlight
glimmer
In the east there is the faintest glimmer of light.
2 (noun)
Definition
a long thick piece of wood, metal, etc. used in building
The ceilings are supported by oak beams.
Synonyms
rafter
support
timber
spar
plank
made of three solid planks of wood
girder
joist
3 (noun)
Definition
a broad smile
She knew he had news, because of the beam on his face.
Synonyms
smile
She gave a wry smile.
grin
She had a big grin on her face.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of air
Tonight, the channel will air a documentary called `Democracy in Action'.
Synonyms
broadcast,
show,
cable,
beam,
transmit,
relay,
televise,
put on the air
in the sense of broadcast
Definition
to transmit (announcements or programmes) on radio or television
CNN also broadcasts programmes in Europe.
Synonyms
transmit,
show,
send,
air,
radio,
cable,
beam,
send out,
relay,
televise,
disseminate,
put on the air,
stream,
podcast,
open-line (Canadian)
in the sense of emit
Definition
to give or send forth (heat, light, a smell, etc.)