1
a
: a long piece of heavy often squared timber suitable for use in construction
b
weaving
: a wood or metal cylinder in a loom on which the warp (see warp entry 1 sense 1a) is wound
c
: the part of a plow to which handles, standard, and coulter are attached
d
: the bar of a balance from which scales hang
f
nautical
: the extreme width of a ship at the widest part
g
engines
: an oscillating lever on a central axis receiving motion at one end from an engine connecting rod and transmitting it at the other
2
a
: a ray or shaft of light
beams from the searchlights
b
: a collection of nearly parallel rays (such as X-rays) or a stream of particles (such as electrons)
c
: a constant directional radio signal transmitted for the guidance of pilots
also
: the course indicated by a radio beam
3
: the main stem of a deer's antler
4
: the width of the buttocks
… immensely broad in the beam …—
Ann Bridge
Ann Bridge
beamed; beaming; beams
1
: to emit in beams or as a beam (see beam entry 1 sense 2)
The sun beamed its light through the window.
2
: to support with beams (see beam entry 1 sense 1)
The house was beamed with heavy timbers.
3
a
: to transmit especially by satellite : broadcast
… the 90-minute show was beamed to more than 200 countries and territories around the world.—TV Guide
TV Guide
b
: to transmit (data) electronically
beaming images of the planet back to Earth
The amount of data beamed over fiber-optic networks is rising exponentially every year, yet only 0.1% of fiber capacity is in use.—Leslie Cauley
Leslie Cauley
especially
: to transmit (data) wirelessly
Infrared connectivity enables users to work collaboratively on documents without having to log on to the network, and for quickly "beaming" data between different devices (for example, between two notebooks, or between a notebook and a printer, without a need for a cable). —Newsweek
Newsweek
c
: to direct to a particular audience
a commercial beamed at middle-class voters
1
: to send out rays of light
Sunlight beamed through the window.
2
: to smile with joy
The bride was beaming.
Examples of beam in a Sentence
Noun
a bright beam of light
We saw the beams from their flashlights.
the building's steel support beams
Verb
She beamed as she told us the good news.
They stood beaming with satisfaction.
“We're getting married!” he beamed.
The sun beamed its light through the window.
Pictures of the distant planet were beamed back to the Earth.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 7 Nov. 2024
Significant damage was found on at least three beams and a portion of the bridge deck on the southbound side.
—Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 2 Nov. 2024
Helen Holmes, ARTnews.com, 19 Nov. 2024
The charity ride is being beamed live across YouTube, and a TV screen adjacent to the stationary bicycle provides a minute-by-minute update of the donations coming in via the livestream.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for beam 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The home still boasts its original flooring, grand staircase, plaster beams and florets, to name a few.
—Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 7 Nov. 2024
Significant damage was found on at least three beams and a portion of the bridge deck on the southbound side.
—Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
On Wednesday night at The Shed in Hudson Yards, Koons beamed, sharklike, as his expression flickered moment to moment between open warmth and blithe inscrutability.
—Helen Holmes, ARTnews.com, 19 Nov. 2024
The charity ride is being beamed live across YouTube, and a TV screen adjacent to the stationary bicycle provides a minute-by-minute update of the donations coming in via the livestream.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for beam
Dictionary Entries Near beam
Cite this Entry
“Beam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beam. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
beam
1 of 2 noun1
: a long heavy piece of timber or metal used especially as a main horizontal support of a building or ship
2
: the bar of a balance from which scales hang
3
: the width of a ship at its widest part
4
a
: a ray of light
b
: a collection of nearly parallel rays (as X-rays) or a stream of particles (as electrons)
5
: a constant radio signal sent out to guide pilots along a course
beam
2 of 2 verb1
: to send out in beams or as a beam
2
: to send out beams of light : shine
3
: to transmit (data) electronically
4
: to smile with joy
Medical Definition
beam
noun1
: a ray or shaft of light
2
: a collection of nearly parallel rays (as X-rays) or a stream of particles (as electrons)
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