Beam - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A beam is a long, sturdy piece of wood, metal, or other material used to support structures. It can also refer to a ray of light or a bright, cheerful smile.
Definition:
A long, sturdy piece of wood or metal used in construction, or a ray of light.
Synonyms:
bar, plank, ray, shaft, girder
Part of Speech:
noun, verb
Antonyms:
shadow, darkness
Common Collocations:
steel beam, laser beam, balance beam, beam of light
Derivatives:
beaming, beamed
Usage Tips:
Use "beam" for physical structures or light rays; as a verb, it means to smile brightly or transmit signals.
Common Phrases:
on the beam, off the beam, broad in the beam
Etymology:
From Old English "bēam," meaning tree or post; related to German "Baum" (tree).
Examples:
- 1. The sun's warm beam brightened the room.
- 2. She balanced perfectly on the wooden beam.
- 3. His face beamed with joy at the news.
- 4. The engineer inspected the steel beam carefully.