a long, sturdy piece of squared timber or metal used to support the roof or floor of a building, a ray or shaft of light, a broad smile

off beam, on the beam, beam me up, Scotty

Formal and Informal Expressions of beam

In different contexts, you can replace 'beam' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'support, structure' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'stick, bar' is a commonplace synonym.

beam: Explore its Definition & Usage

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

Synonyms for beam

Phrases with beam

off beam
not accurate or correct
Example
His calculations were off beam and the experiment failed.
on the beam
accurate or correct
Example
Her analysis was right on the beam and helped solve the problem.
beam me up, Scotty
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'

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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.