beam in English
- beam⇄beam, noun, verb.
- beam⇄expr. beam down (or in), to materialize as if from outer space.
Ex. Celibate Kodo boys [a rock band] seemed as if they'd beamed in from another planet (John Mulholland). - beam⇄expr. fly (or ride) the beam, to pilot an aircraft by a radio beam.
Ex. The flyer homed in on the radio source and then flew the beam until he reached his home base. - beam⇄expr. off the beam,
a. (of an aircraft) deviating from the right course indicated by a radio beam.
Ex. The inexperienced pilot flew the plane so badly that it was off the beam most of the time.
b. (Informal, Figurative.) (of a person - beam⇄expr. on the beam,
a. (of an aircraft) on the right course as indicated by a radio beam.
Ex. The plane began to drift off course but very soon got back on the beam.
b. (Informal, Figurative.) just right.
Ex. His answer was on th - beam⇄expr. on the starboard (or port) beam, at a right angle to the keel of a ship on the starboard (or port) side.
Ex. The lookout cried out: ""Land on the starboard beam!"" - beam⇄noun 1. a large, long piece of timber, ready for use in building.
Ex. The beams supporting the roof and the sides were all that was left of the house after the fire.
2. a similar piece of iron, steel, stone, reinforced concrete, or other hea - beam⇄v.i. 1. to shine radiantly.
2. (Figurative.) (of a person) to look or smile brightly.
Ex. Her face beamed with delight. - beam⇄v.t. 1. to send out (beams or rays of light); emit in rays.
Ex. Mother beamed the flashlight in the corner and saw a mouse.
2a. to aim; direct.
Ex. ... advertisers' attempts to beam their messages to smaller, but higher-income, audienc
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Beam
Part of Speech
Noun, Verb
Pronunciation
/biːm/
Definitions
- Noun: A long, sturdy piece of timber or metal used to support weight or to form the structure of a building.
- Noun: A ray or shaft of light, heat, or other radiation.
- Verb: To emit or shine with a bright, steady light.
- Verb: To smile radiantly or with great happiness.
Usage Examples
- The engineer reinforced the building with large steel beams.
- The sun's beams filtered through the trees, casting beautiful shadows on the ground.
- She beamed with pride after receiving the award for her work.
Etymology
From Middle English bem, from Old English bēam ("tree", "beam", "branch", or "log"). The word is related to the concept of a large, sturdy beam, which originally referred to a tree trunk or branch, and later evolved to refer to any long, strong piece of material used in construction.
Synonyms
- Post
- Support
- Timber
- Rod
- Bar
Antonyms
- Void
- Space
- Gap
- Weakness
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| English | Beam | /biːm/ |
| Spanish | Viga | /ˈbiɣa/ |
| French | Poutre | /putʁ/ |
| German | Balken | /ˈbalkən/ |
| Italian | Trave | /ˈtrɑːve/ |
| Russian | Балка (Balka) | /ˈbalkə/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 梁 (Liáng) | /lʲæŋ/ |
| Hindi | कंपल (Kampal) | /kəmpəl/ |
| Arabic | عوارض (Awārid) | /ʕawārid/ |
| Portuguese | Viga | /ˈviɡɐ/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
While the standard pronunciation is /biːm/, regional accents may affect the intonation or vowel sounds, especially in dialects where vowel length may vary. For example, in some regions, the pronunciation of "beam" might be shortened to a quicker, clipped form.
Historical Usage
The word "beam" has been used since Old English, referring originally to a tree trunk or the main support of a structure. The evolution of its meaning to refer to more general forms of support and light sources reflects both the physical and symbolic roles that beams have played throughout history, from architecture to metaphorical expressions of light and guidance.
Cultural Nuances
Beams are often culturally symbolic of support and strength, not only in physical construction but also in literature and art, where they symbolize hope, guidance, or a force that holds things together. In some cultures, "beam" is also used metaphorically to refer to a person’s smile or joy, as in "a beaming smile."
More Information
In modern usage, "beam" is most commonly associated with construction, architecture, and light sources, though it is still a frequent term in both everyday and scientific language. The concept of a beam continues to evolve with technology—light beams, radio beams, and laser beams are now ubiquitous terms in science and communication, demonstrating the versatility of the word.