beam Definition
- 1a long, sturdy piece of squared timber or metal used to support the roof or floor of a building
- 2a ray or shaft of light
- 3a broad smile
Using beam: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "beam" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The beams in the old house were made of oak.
Example
The sun's beams shone through the window.
Example
She greeted us with a beam on her face.
Example
The lighthouse beam swept across the sea.
beam Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with beam
Example
His calculations were off beam and the experiment failed.
Example
Her analysis was right on the beam and helped solve the problem.
a catchphrase from the television series Star Trek, used to request transportation by the starship's transporter
Example
As a joke, he said 'Beam me up, Scotty' as he stepped into the elevator.
Origins of beam
Old English 'bēam', from Proto-Germanic 'baumaz'
Summary: beam in Brief
A 'beam' [biːm] can refer to a long, sturdy piece of timber or metal used for structural support, such as in a building. It can also mean a ray or shaft of light, or a broad smile. Phrases like 'off beam' and 'on the beam' denote accuracy or correctness, while 'beam me up, Scotty' is a catchphrase from Star Trek used to request transportation.
