1. Long thick piece of wood, metal or concrete, etc., used in construction
   "The steel beam supported the weight of the upper floors"
    
2. A signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides aeroplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
   "The pilot relied on the radio beam to navigate through the dense fog";
   - radio beam
    
3. A column of light (as from a beacon)
   "A beam of light from the lighthouse cut through the fog"; "The lighthouse's light beam cut through the fog";
   - beam of light, light beam, ray, ray of light, shaft, shaft of light, irradiation
    
4. A group of nearly parallel lines of electromagnetic radiation
   "The electron beam in a cathode ray tube creates the image on old TV screens";
   - ray, electron beam
    
5. The broad side of a ship
   "they sighted land on the port beam"
    
6. (nautical) breadth amidships
   "The ship's beam was 30 meters, allowing for spacious decks"
    
7. A gymnastic apparatus used by women gymnasts
   "She performed a flawless routine on the balance beam";
   - balance beam

1. Emit light; be bright, as of the sun or a light
   "The fire beamed on their faces";
   - shine
    
2. Smile radiantly; express joy through one's facial expression
   "The proud parents beamed as their child received the award"
    
3. Express with a beaming face or smile
   "he beamed his approval"
    
4. Distribute content through the air or space via radio, television, or similar electronic signals
   "We cannot beam this X-rated song";
   - air, send, broadcast, transmit
    
5. Experience a feeling of well-being or happiness, as from good health or an intense emotion
   "She was beaming with joy";
   - glow, radiate, shine
    
6. Have a complexion with a strong bright colour, such as red or pink
   "Her face beamed when she came out of the sauna";
   - glow, radiate, shine

Derived forms: beams, beaming, beamed

Type of: air, appear, bare, breadth, electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic wave, emit, evince [formal], exerciser, experience, express, feel, give off, give out, gymnastic apparatus, light, look, nonparticulate radiation, piece, publicise [Brit], publicize, seem, show, side, sign, signal, signaling [N. Amer], signalling [Brit, Cdn], smile, structural member, visible light, visible radiation, width

Encyclopedia: Beam, Jacob Dyneley