beam

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Datamuse reports no synonyms or antonyms for this word.

Noun

1. {{lb|en|structural}} Any large [[piece]] of [[timber]] or [[iron]] long in proportion to its thickness, and prepared for use.
2. {{lb|en|structural}} One of the [[principal#Adjective|principal]] [[horizontal]] [[structural]] [[member]]s, usually of [[steel]], [[timber]], or [[concrete]], of a [[building]].
3. {{lb|en|nautical}} One of the [[transverse]] [[member]]s of a [[ship]]'s [[frame]] on which the [[deck]]s are laid, and acting as part of the support for keeping the sides of the vessel in shape — [[supported]] at the sides by [[knee]]s in [[wooden]] ships and by [[stringer]]s in [[steel]] ones; cf. [[abeam]], [[beam-ends]].
4. {{lb|en|nautical}} 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]]).
5. {{lb|en|nautical}} The direction across a [[vessel]], perpendicular to [[fore-and-aft]].
6. {{lb|en|nautical}} The straight part or [[shank]] of an [[anchor]].
7. {{lb|en|mechanical}} The [[crossbar]] of a mechanical [[balance]], from the ends of which the scales are suspended.
8. {{lb|en|mechanical}} In [[steam engine]]s, 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]].
9. {{lb|en|agricultural}} The central bar of a [[plow]], to which the [[handle]]s and [[colter]] are secured, and to the end of which are attached the oxen or horses that draw it.
10. {{lb|en|physics}} A [[ray]] or [[collection]] of approximately parallel [[ray]]s emitted from the sun or other luminous body.
11. {{lb|en|zootomy|informal}} The principal [[stem#Noun|stem]] of the [[antler]] of a [[deer]], which [[branch#Noun|branches]] [[grow]] out from.
12. {{lb|en|zootomy|informal}} One of the long [[feather]]s in the wing of a [[hawk]].

Verb

1. {{lb|en|ambitransitive}} To [[emit]] [[#Noun|beam]]s of [[light]]; to [[shine]]; to [[radiate]].
2. {{lb|en|intransitive|figuratively}} To [[smile]] [[broadly]] or especially [[cheerfully]].
3. {{lb|en|transitive}} To [[furnish]] or [[supply]] with [[#Noun|beam]]s.
4. {{lb|en|transitive}} To give the [[appearance]] of [[#Noun|beam]]s to.
5. {{lb|en|transitive|science fiction}} To [[transmit]] [[matter]] or [[information]] via a high-tech [[wireless]] mechanism.
6. {{lb|en|transitive|computing}} To [[transmit]], especially by direct [[wireless]] means such as [[infrared]].
7. {{lb|en|transitive|currying}} To [[stretch]] something (for example, an animal [[hide]]) on a [[#Noun|beam]].
8. {{lb|en|transitive|weaving}} To put (something) on a [[#Noun|beam]].
9. {{lb|en|transitive|music}} To [[connect]] ([[musical]] [[note]]s) with a [[#Noun|beam]], or thick line, in [[music]] [[notation]].

Proper noun

1. {{surname|en}}.

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.