n.
- a long sturdy piece of squared timber or metal used horizontally in building to support a load above.
▸a narrow horizontal length of squared timber used for balancing exercises in gymnastics.
- a horizontal beam supporting the deck and joining the sides of a ship.
▸the direction of an object visible from the 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 ray or shaft of light.
▸a directional flow of particles or radiation.
▸a series of radio or radar signals emitted as a navigational guide.
- a radiant smile.
- the crossbar of a balance.
- an oscillating shaft in a beam engine.
- the shank of an anchor.
v.
- transmit (a radio signal or broadcast) in a specified direction.
- shine brightly.
- smile radiantly.
Phrase
- a beam in one's eye
a fault that is greater in oneself than in the person one is finding fault with.
[with biblical allusion to Matt. 7:3.]
- off beam
informal on the wrong track. - on her
(or its)
beam ends
(of a ship) heeled over on its side.
Etymology
OE bēam ‘tree, beam’, of W. Gmc origin.