beam
Translation
beam
Examples
A beam of sunlight came through the window.
A beam of sunlight came through the window.
The old house had heavy wooden beams.
The old house had heavy wooden beams.
Grammar Patterns
((a)) beam of (light) a ray of light A beam of light shone on the stage.
((a)) wooden/steel beam a structural support The roof is supported by steel beams.
Similar Words
Synonyms: (light) ray, gleam; (structure) joist, girder
Etymology
From Old English 'bēam' (tree). The sense of 'ray of light' developed in the 16th century.
Memory Tips
Imagine a sunbeam hitting a wooden beam in a house. Both meanings in one image.