beam compass noun

An instrument consisting of a beam and adjustable legs, for drawing extra-large circles

beamˈ-ends plural noun

The ends of the transverse beams of a ship

beamˈ-engine noun

A steam-engine with a beam connecting the piston-rod and the crank of the wheel-shaft or the buckets of a pump

beam sea noun

One rolling against the ship's side

beam splitter noun

A device used to divide a beam of light, radiation, etc into two or more separate beams

beam system noun

A system whereby, with the aid of reflectors, short wireless waves are projected (like a lighthouse beam) in a particular direction, not radiated in all directions

beam trawl noun

A trawling net kept open by a beam along its upper lip, resting on runners

beam trawler noun

beam trawling noun

beam tree noun

A pleonastic name for the whitebeam

beam weapon noun

Any weapon whose destructive force consists of a beam of energy such as subatomic particles

abaft or before the beam

Behind or before a line across the greatest width of a ship

broad in the beam

Wide-hipped

fly the beam

To fly an aircraft in the direction shown by a radio beam

lee beam

The side away from, or towards, the wind

off the beam

1. Off the course shown by a radio beam
2. Off the right track (figurative)

on her beam-ends

Of a ship, so much inclined to one side that the beams become nearly vertical

on one's beam-ends

In acute distress, destitute

on the beam

1. In the direction of a ship's beams, at right angles to her course
2. On the course shown by a radio beam
3. On the right track (figurative)

on the port (or starboard) beam

Applied to any distant point out at sea, at right angles to the keel, and on the left (or right) side

ride the beam same as fly the beam (see above).

weather beam same as lee beam (see above).