noun

1. Any large piece of timber or iron long in proportion to its thickness, and prepared for use.

2. One of the principal horizontal timbers of a building; one of the transverse members of a ship's frame on which the decks are laid — supported at the sides by knees in wooden ships and by stringers in steel ones.

3. The maximum width of a vessel (note that a vessel with a beam of 15 foot can also be said to be 15 foot abeam)

   “This ship has more beam than that one.”

Synonyms: beam feather, breadth, walking beam, working beam

verb

1. To emit beams of light; shine; radiate.

   “to beam forth light”

2. To smile broadly or especially cheerfully.

3. To furnish or supply with beams