Meaning of beam In English

• 0 a line of light that shines from a bright object:

  • We could just pick out the trail in the weak beam of the flashlight.

  • The rabbit stopped, mesmerized by the beam of the car's headlights.

  • a laser beam

  • an electron beam

• 1 a long, thick piece of wood, metal, or concrete, especially used to support weight in a building or other structure:

  • The sitting room had exposed wooden beams.

• 2 to smile with obvious pleasure:

  • She beamed with delight/pleasure at his remarks.

  • The child beamed at his teacher as he received the award.

  • [ + speech ] "I'm so pleased to see you," he beamed (= said as he smiled).

• 3 to send out a beam of light, an electrical or radio signal, etc.:

  • The sun beamed (= shone brightly) down on the boat as it drifted along.

  • The concert was beamed (= broadcast) by satellite all over the world.

• 4 a line of light coming from the sun or a bright light, esp. as seen against a darker background:

  • a beam of sunlight

  • A laser beam scans the disc’s surface.

• 5 a long, thick piece of wood, metal, or concrete, esp. one used to support weight in a building or other structure

• 6 to send out a line of light:

  • [ I ] The sun beamed down on the ball field.

  • [ T ] Detroit stations are beamed (= broadcast) to Canadian communities.

• 7 to smile with obvious pleasure:

  • His face beamed as if he’d won a gold medal at the Olympics.