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   beam

   /biːm/

   noun

   • 1. a long, sturdy piece of squared timber or metal used to support the roof or floor of a building: "there are very fine oak beams in the oldest part of the house" Similar joistpurlingirdersparsupportstrutstaybracescantlingbattentransomlintelstringerbalkboardtimberplanklathraftercollar beamtie beamsummer (tree)hammer beamcantilever
   • ▪ a narrow, raised horizontal piece of squared timber on which a gymnast balances while performing exercises: "a compulsory set of exercises on floor, vault, bars, and beam"
   • ▪ a horizontal piece of squared timber or metal supporting the deck and joining the sides of a ship: "the watertight skin and deck were put on over this framework of ribs and beams"
   • ▪ the direction of an object visible from the port or starboard side of a ship when it is perpendicular to the centre line of the vessel: "there was land in sight on the port beam"
   • ▪ a ship's breadth at its widest point: "a cutter with a beam of 16 feet"
   • ▪ the width of a person's hips: informal "notice how broad in the beam she's getting?"
   • ▪ the main stem of a stag's antler: "the wide beams sprouted ten main tines"
   • ▪ the crossbar of a balance.
   • ▪ an oscillating shaft which transmits the vertical piston movement of a beam engine to the crank or pump.
   • ▪ the shank of an anchor.
   • ▪ the main timber of a horse-drawn plough. historical
   • 2. a ray or shaft of light: "a beam of light flashed in front of her" Similar rayshaftstreamstreakpencilfingerflashgleamglowglimmerglintflarebarradiationemission
   • ▪ a directional flow of particles or radiation: "beams of electrons"
   • ▪ a series of radio or radar signals emitted as a navigational guide for ships or aircraft: "the detector simply pinpoints the radar beams that other ships transmit"
   • 3. a radiant or good-natured look or smile: "a beam of satisfaction" Similar grinsmilebright lookOpposite frown

   verb

   • 1. transmit (a radio signal or broadcast) in a specified direction: "the satellite beamed back radio signals to scientists on Earth" Similar broadcasttransmitrelaysend/put outdisseminatedirectaimteleviseshowtelecastput on the air/airwaves
   • ▪ (in science fiction) transport someone instantaneously to or from a spaceship: "mission controller, beam me up!"
   • 2. (of a light or light source) shine brightly: "the sun's rays beamed down" Similar shineradiateglareglittergleamshimmerglimmertwinkleflashflarestreak
   • 3. smile radiantly: "she beamed with pleasure" Similar grinsmiledimplegrin like a Cheshire Cattwinklesmirklaughinformal:be all smilesOpposite frown
   • ▪ express (an emotion) with a radiant smile: "the instructress beamed her approval"

   Word Origin Old Englishbēam ‘tree, beam’, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch boom and German Baum.

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • B

     3

   • E

     1

   • A

     1

   • M

     3

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