Beam

Beam is the usual support to the roof or floor above in the form of a long, sturdy piece of squared timber or metal spanning an opening of a building or part of it.

Such a horizontal piece supporting the deck and joining the sides of ship is also called by this name. Beam is also a ship's breadth at its widest point. As a nautical term, beam denotes the direction of an object, such as on the port beam, visible from the port or starboard side of a ship when it is perpendicular to the centre line of the vessel.

The oscillating shaft, especially in a stationary steam engine, is called its beam through which the vertical piston movement is transmitted to the crank or pump. Beam is also the crossbar of a balance.

A balance beam on which a gymnast balances while performing exercises is also sometimes called beam in short. The width of a person's hip is informally called beam. Beam is also the main stem of a stag's antler. The main timber of a horse-drawn plow was also called beam, but it has now become a history.

Beam is also a ray or shaft of light, a directional flow of particles or radiation, a series of radio or radar signals emitted to serve as a navigational guide for ships or aircrafts, and a radiant look or smile of a person.

Nearby pages
Beam compass, Beam sea, Beam splitter, Beamish, Beamy, Bean