beam / bēm/ • n. 1. a long, sturdy piece of squared timber or metal spanning an opening or part of a building, usually to support the roof or floor above. ∎ another term for balance beam. ∎  a horizontal piece of squared timber or metal supporting the deck and joining the sides of a ship. ∎  Naut. the direction of an object visible from the port or starboard side of a ship when it is perpendicular to the center line of the vessel: there was land in sight on the port beam. ∎  a ship's breadth at its widest point: a cutter with a beam of 16 feet. ∎  the crossbar of a balance. ∎  (esp. in a stationary steam engine) an oscillating shaft through which the vertical piston movement is transmitted to the crank or pump.2. a ray or shaft of light: a beam of light flashed in front of her. ∎  a directional flow of particles or radiation: beams of electrons. ∎  a series of radio or radar signals emitted to serve as a navigational guide for ships or aircraft.3. [in sing.] a radiant or good-natured look or smile: a beam of satisfaction.• v. 1. [tr.] transmit (a radio signal or broadcast) in a specified direction: beaming a distress signal into space [intr.] the TV station begins beaming into homes in the new year. ∎  [tr.] (beam someone up/down) (in science fiction) transport someone instantaneously to another place, esp. to or from a spaceship: Scotty, beam me up!2. [intr.] (of a light or light source) shine brightly: the sun's rays beamed down.3. [intr.] smile radiantly: she beamed with pleasure [as adj.] (beaming) a beaming smile. ∎  [tr.] express (an emotion) with a radiant smile: the teacher beamed her approval.4. (beamed) construct a ceiling with exposed beams: vaulted beamed ceilings in the family room.PHRASES: a beam in one's eye a fault that is greater in oneself than in the person one is finding fault with.off (or way off) beam inf. on the wrong track; mistaken: you're way off beam on this one.on the beam inf. on the right track.

beam3 beam someone up (or down) in science fiction, transport someone instantaneously to or from a spaceship. The phrase came originally from the American television series Star Trek ‘Beam me up, Scotty’ is often given as the form in which Captain Kirk requested return from a planet to the Starship Enterprise, but in fact the nearest equivalent found is, ‘Beam us up, Mr Scott.’

beam. Horizontal structural element supported at each end by some means, such as walls, columns, piers, etc. A beam employed as a lintel supports a weight. Beams are further defined by adjectives, as in tie-beam. See truss.

beam1 a long, sturdy piece of squared timber used to support a roof or floor.
on one's beam-ends at the end of one's financial resources; beam-ends are the ends of a ship's beams, and a ship on her beam-ends is one on its side, almost capsizing.
a beam in one's eye a fault that is greater in oneself than in the person with whom one is finding fault, in allusion to Matthew 7:3 ‘Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?’

beam †tree; plank; ray of light. OE. bēam, OS. bōm, OHG. boum (G. baum) :- WGmc. *bauma; rel. obscurely to Goth. bagms, ON. baðmr tree.