BEAM


Meaning of BEAM in English

/ biːm; NAmE / noun , verb

■ noun

1.

a line of light, electric waves or particles :

narrow beams of light / sunlight

the beam of a torch / flashlight

a laser / electron beam

( BrE )

The car's headlights were on full beam (= shining as brightly as possible and not directed downwards) .

( NAmE )

a car with its high beams on

2.

a long piece of wood, metal, etc. used to support weight, especially as part of the roof in a building :

The cottage had exposed oak beams.

3.

( especially BrE ) ( NAmE usually ˈbalance beam ) a wooden bar that is used in the sport of gymnastics for people to move and balance on

4.

a wide and happy smile :

a beam of satisfaction

IDIOMS

- off beam

■ verb

1.

[ no passive ] beam (sth) (at sb) to have a big happy smile on your face :

[ v ]

He beamed at the journalists.

She was positively beaming with pleasure.

[ vn ]

The barman beamed a warm smile at her.

[ v speech ]

'I'd love to come,' she beamed (= said with a large smile) .

2.

[ vn + adv. / prep. ] to send radio or television signals over long distances using electronic equipment :

Live pictures of the ceremony were beamed around the world.

3.

[ v + adv. / prep. ] to produce a stream of light and/or heat :

The morning sun beamed down on us.

Light beamed through a hole in the curtain.

IDIOMS

see ear

••

WORD ORIGIN

Old English bēam tree, beam , of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch boom and German Baum .

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.