beam
Looking for the meaning of beam? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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Any large piece of timber or iron long in proportion to its thickness, and prepared for use.
One of the principal horizontal timbers of a building; one of the transverse members of a ship's frame on which the decks are laid — supported at the sides by knees in wooden ships and by stringers in steel ones.
The maximum width of a vessel (note that a vessel with a beam of 15 foot can also be said to be 15 foot abeam)
“This ship has more beam than that one.”
The crossbar of a mechanical balance, from the ends of which the scales are suspended.
The principal stem of the antler of a deer.
The pole of a carriage or chariot.
A cylinder of wood, making part of a loom, on which weavers wind the warp before weaving and the cylinder on which the cloth is rolled, as it is woven.
The straight part or shank of an anchor.
The central bar of a plow, to which the handles and colter are secured, and to the end of which are attached the oxen or horses that draw it.
In steam engines, a heavy iron lever having an oscillating motion on a central axis, one end of which is connected with the piston rod from which it receives motion, and the other with the crank of the wheel shaft.
A ray or collection of approximately parallel rays emitted from the sun or other luminous body.
“a beam of energy”
A ray; a gleam.
“a beam of hope, or of comfort”
One of the long feathers in the wing of a hawk.
A horizontal bar which connects the stems of two or more notes to group them and to indicate metric value.
An elevated rectangular dirt pile used to cheaply build an elevated portion of a railway.
To emit beams of light; shine; radiate.
“to beam forth light”
To smile broadly or especially cheerfully.
To furnish or supply with beams
To give the appearance of beams to.
To transmit matter or information via a high-tech wireless mechanism.
“Beam me up, Scotty; there's no intelligent life down here.”
(currying) To stretch something (for example an animal hide) on a beam.
To put (something) on a beam
To connect (musical notes) with a beam, or thick line, in music notation.
Understanding "beam"
The word **"beam"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/biːm/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"beam"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "beam" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "beam" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "beam" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /biːm/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "beam" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "beam" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "beam" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "beam". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/biːm/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "beam" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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Refer to the usage examples above to see how "beam" can be used in academic and casual conversations.