beam
/ˈbiːm/
A ray or collection of approximately parallel rays emitted from the sun or other luminous body; Any large piece of timber or iron long in proportion to its thickness, and prepared for use; One of the principal horizontal structural members, usually of steel, timber, or concrete, of a building
- plural
- beams
Meanings
- 1
A ray or collection of approximately parallel rays emitted from the sun or other luminous body
These beams will not carry the weight of the roof.
Tatoeba · CM · CC BY 2.0 FR
My lights are on full beam.
Tatoeba · sundown · CC BY 2.0 FR
- 2
Any large piece of timber or iron long in proportion to its thickness, and prepared for use
- 3
One of the principal horizontal structural members, usually of steel, timber, or concrete, of a building
- 4
One of the transverse members of a ship's frame on which the decks are laid, and acting as part of the support for keeping the sides of the vessel in shape — supported at the sides by knees in wooden ships and by stringers in steel ones; cf. abeam, beam-endsrare
- 5
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)rare
- 6
The direction across a vessel, perpendicular to fore-and-aftrare
- 7
The straight part or shank of an anchorrare
- 8
The crossbar of a mechanical balance, from the ends of which the scales are suspendedrare
- 9
In steam engines, 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 shaftrare
- 10
The central bar of a plow, to which the handles and colter are secured, and to the end of which are attached the oxen or horses that draw itrare