Link Centre Dictionary

beam

UK/ˈbiːm/ US/ˈbɪi̯m/ common informal literary
noun (6) verb (6)

noun

1.

a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides pilots in darkness or bad weather

Synonyms
2.

long thick piece of wood or metal or concrete, etc., used in construction

3.
4.
5.
6.

a gymnastic apparatus used by women gymnasts

Synonyms

verb

1.
2.

emit light; be bright, as of the sun or a light

  • “The sun shone bright that day”
  • “The fire beamed on their faces”
Synonyms
3.

express with a beaming face or smile

  • “he beamed his approval”
4.

broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television

  • “We cannot air this X-rated song”
Synonyms
5.

especially of the complexion: show a strong bright color, such as red or pink

  • “Her face glowed when she came out of the sauna”
Synonyms
6.

experience a feeling of well-being or happiness, as from good health or an intense emotion

  • “She was beaming with joy”
  • “Her face radiated with happiness”
Synonyms

Origin

From Middle English bem, beem, from Old English bēam (“tree, cross, gallows, column, pillar, wood, beam, splint, post, stock, rafter, piece of wood”), from Proto-West Germanic *baum, from Proto-Germanic *baumaz (“tree, beam, balk”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰew- (“to grow, swell”).

Phrases

  • Airy beam
  • balance beam
  • beam and scales
  • Beam Bridge
  • beam compass
  • beam engine
  • beam hole
  • beam reach
  • beam up

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

Narrower terms

Causes

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.