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Definition of beam : 1. A cylinder of wood, making part of a loom, on which weavers wind the warp before weaving; also, the cylinder on which the cloth is rolled, as it is woven; one being called the fore beam, the other the back beam.
2. 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 shaft; - called also working beam or walking beam.
3. A ray or collection of parallel rays emitted from the sun or other luminous body; as, a beam of light, or of heat.
4. Any large piece of timber or iron long in proportion to its thickness, and prepared for use.
5. Fig.: A ray; a gleam; as, a beam of comfort.
6. One of the long feathers in the wing of a hawk; - called also beam feather.
7. One of the principal horizontal timbers of a building or ship.
8. The bar of a balance, from the ends of which the scales are suspended.
9. The main part 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 it.
10. The pole of a carriage.
11. The principal stem or horn of a stag or other deer, which bears the antlers, or branches.
12. The straight part or shank of an anchor.
13. The width of a vessel; as, one vessel is said to have more beam than another.
14. To emit beams of light.
15. To send forth; to emit; - followed ordinarily by forth; as, to beam forth light.

Synonyms:

pass around, transmit, diffuse, bare, charge, radar, reflect, quill, prick, stay, propagate, shaft of light, glare, support, send off, institutionalize, get off, gibe, reach, boom, disseminate, conduct, smooth, pecker, ventilate, finger, pole, post, channel, tool, chink, circularize, pile, mistaken, broadcast, stanchion, shimmer, balk, fall, jamb, transport, shot, commit, flicker, dick, circularise, station, air out, pencil, transfer, incorrect, smoothen, convey, matter, place, institutionalise, slam, glisten, balance beam, vent, circulate, bolster, trestle, distribute, shaft, timber, scaffolding, two-by-four, dig, sleeper, air, radio beam, scape, diversify, mail, send, strike, aerate, channelize, publicise, inaccurate, barb, spread, carry, beacon, misdirected, channelise, wrong, send out, column, radiotherapy, disperse, jibe, streak, light beam, polish, diaphysis, spear, publicize, irradiation, communicate, lance, electron beam, beam of light, ship, glimmer, bail, board, lath, cock, prop, re, burn, direct, putz, peter, radiation therapy, axle, rotating shaft, actinotherapy, brace, emission, ray of light, bar, calamus, impart, ray, pillar

crosstie, tie, lintel, transom, truss, crossbeam, girder, spar, stud, transverse, sill, rafter, strut, I beam, joist, ridgepole

smile, grin, twinkle, smirk

flash, gleam, fire, illumination, glow, light, brightness, luminousness, luster, fluoresce, spot, radiation, glitter, flood, scintillation, incandescence, radiate, glint, shine, flare, illuminate, incandesce, scintillate, sparkle, blaze, lucidity, brilliance

Usage examples:

• The family is one beam of delight when I arrive; the children quarrel who shall sit by me at table, and I have all my favourite puddings. - "Pixie O'Shaughnessy", Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey.
• I'll watch and listen- and maybe tell you if I think you're off beam. - "The Planet Strappers", Raymond Zinke Gallun.
• Tall enough she was, her head seemingly about a foot from the cross- beam of the door. - "Little Novels of Italy Madonna Of The Peach-Tree, Ippolita In The Hills, The Duchess Of Nona, Messer Cino And The Live Coal, The Judgment Of Borso", Maurice Henry Hewlett.