noun

beam

/biːm/ · say it: BEEM

a horizontal structural member carrying loads

In Architecture & Design

In more detail

1. (noun) a long, thick piece of wood, metal, or concrete used as a support in a building or structure

2. (noun) a line of light that shines from something

3. (verb) to smile widely or with great joy

4. (verb) to send out light or radio signals

Examples

The wooden beams in the ceiling held up the roof.
A beam of sunlight came through the window.
She beamed with pride when her son graduated.

How to use beam

As a noun referring to structural support, beam is the general term for any long supporting element in construction. As a noun for light, it describes a concentrated shaft of light rays. As a verb, to beam means to smile joyfully or to transmit signals; the smiling sense is more colloquial and often describes uninhibited happiness, while the transmission sense is more technical.

Common phrases

wooden beam
beam of light
broad beam
beam across one's face
emit a beam
support beam

Synonyms

rafter · joist · girder · ray · grin

Word family

beamed · beaming · beamless

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse 'beam' (a line of light) with 'gleam' (a brief flash) or 'glow' (diffuse light); also, the verb 'beaming with joy' is sometimes mistakenly used as 'beaming of joy'.

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD