I. ˈbēm noun
Etymology: Middle English beem, from Old English bēam tree, beam; akin to Old High German boum tree
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a long piece of heavy often squared timber suitable for use in construction
b. : a wood or metal cylinder in a loom on which the warp is wound
c. : the part of a plow to which handles, standard, and coulter are attached
d. : the bar of a balance from which scales hang
e. : one of the principal horizontal supporting members (as of a building or ship)
a steel beam supporting a floor
also : boom , spar
the beam of a crane
f. : the extreme width of a ship at the widest part
g. : an oscillating lever on a central axis receiving motion at one end from an engine connecting rod and transmitting it at the other
2.
a. : a ray or shaft of light
b. : a collection of nearly parallel rays (as X rays) or a stream of particles (as electrons)
c. : a constant directional radio signal transmitted for the guidance of pilots ; also : the course indicated by a radio beam
3. : the main stem of a deer's antler
4. : the width of the buttocks
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- on the beam
II. verb
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to emit in beams or as a beam
2. : to support with beams
3.
a. : to transmit especially by satellite : broadcast
b. : to transmit (data) electronically
c. : to direct to a particular audience
intransitive verb
1. : to send out beams of light
2. : to smile with joy