BEAM • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Beam

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Beam

noun

1.

A signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather. Synonym: radio beam.

2.

Long thick piece of wood or metal or concrete, etc., used in construction.

3.

A group of nearly parallel lines of electromagnetic radiation. Synonyms: electron beam, ray.

4.

A column of light (as from a beacon). Synonyms: beam of light, irradiation, light beam, ray, ray of light, shaft, shaft of light.

5.

(nautical) breadth amidships.

6.

The broad side of a ship.

7.

A gymnastic apparatus used by women gymnasts. Synonym: balance beam.

verb

(past & past part. beamed; pres. part. beaming)

1.

Smile radiantly; express joy through one's facial expression.

2.

Emit light; be bright, as of the sun or a light. Synonym: shine. "The fire beamed on their faces"

3.

Express with a beaming face or smile.

4.

Broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television. Synonyms: air, broadcast, send, transmit.

5.

Have a complexion with a strong bright color, such as red or pink. Synonyms: glow, radiate, shine.

6.

Experience a feeling of well-being or happiness, as from good health or an intense emotion. Synonyms: glow, radiate, shine. "Her face radiated with happiness"

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WordNet 3.0 © 2010 Princeton University

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"Beam" Quotes from Famous Books

... the mote that dims the eye Of other men, whose faults we spy; But we ignore the beam that lies With stronger strain ...

— Fables of John Gay - (Somewhat Altered) • John Gay

... strangely calm, and, walking over to the window, opened it, and stepped out on the balcony. The wind had blown the fog away, and the sky was like a monstrous peacock's tail, starred with myriads of golden eyes. He looked down, and saw the policeman going his rounds and flashing the long beam of his lantern on the doors of the silent houses. The crimson spot of a prowling hansom gleamed at the corner, and then vanished. A woman in a fluttering shawl was creeping slowly by the railings, staggering as she went. Now and then ...

— The Picture of Dorian Gray • Oscar Wilde

... as unconsciously as if a rosebud had opened and shown you its heart? Indeed, but a brief time since I would have berated any friend of mine who would not take the sensible course which would make all happy. If I could but become 'sane and reasonable,' as Miss Warren would say, how she would beam upon me, and, the thought of my disappointment and woe-begone aspect banished, how serenely she would go toward her bright future! And yet in taking this sane and sensible course I would be false to ...

— A Day Of Fate • E. P. Roe

... condescended to challenge you before, and you refused. You cannot now claim what you then feared to accept. The sun on the dial approaches noon, and unless you surrender yourself before it reaches the mark, I will keep my word, and the traitress, your mother, shall swing from that beam." ...

— Winning His Spurs - A Tale of the Crusades • George Alfred Henty

... shall throw his shuttle in thy chamber of state. Thine ancient tower—a woman's dower—shall be a ruin and a beacon, until an ash sapling shall spring from its topmost stone. Then shall thy sorrows be ended, and the sunshine of royalty shall beam on thee once more. Thine honours shall be restored; the kiss of peace shall be given to thy Countess, though she seek it not, and the days of peace shall return to thee and thine. The line of Mar shall be broken; but ...

— Strange Pages from Family Papers • T. F. Thiselton Dyer

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