beam
gb/bˈim/ us/bˈim/
B1
English
~ 5500
sugár, fénysugár, ragyog, szélesen mosolyog, világít, süt, tűz, gerenda, sugároz, közvetít, teleportál, felsugároz, lesugároz, tornagerenda, legnagyobb szélesség, szélesség
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
a beam of [light/radiation]
A bright beam of light shot out from the lighthouse and swept across the sea.
A világítótoronyból erős fénysugár tört elő, és végigsöpört a tengeren.
Sun beams came through the window and lit up the room.
Napsugarak szűrődtek be az ablakon, és megvilágították a szobát.
The doctor adjusted the X-ray beam before taking the image.
The car’s headlight beams cut through the fog.
Scientists used a powerful laser beam in the experiment.
Learner examples
A beam of light came from his phone.
Fénysugár jött a telefonjából.
I saw a sun beam in the clouds.
Láttam egy napsugarat a felhők között.
The laser made a red beam.
The flashlight beam was very weak.
She stood in a beam of sunlight.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'beam' with 'ray'. In general English, they are very similar, but 'beam' is often used for stronger or more focused light, or for artificial light like lasers and headlights.
Meaning
narrow line of light or energy
Collocations
a beam of light
|sun beams
|laser beam
|headlight beams
|X-ray beam
|searchlight beam
Synonyms
ray (Very close in meaning, often used for natural light like sunlight; 'beam' can sound slightly more focused or technical.)
|
shaft (of light) (Suggests a dramatic, visible column of light, especially through dust or darkness.)
Antonyms
darkness (Represents the absence of light where no beams are visible.)
|
shadow (An area where light beams are blocked, the opposite of where they shine.)
Themes
science
|weather
|technology
Definition
A thin line of light or other energy that goes in one direction.
A narrow, focused line or stream of light, radiation, or similar energy that travels in one direction.
VERB
B2
2
ragyog
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] beams (at [someone]/with [emotion])
She beamed with pride as her son received the award.
Ragyogott a büszkeségtől, amikor a fia átvette a díjat.
He walked into the room beaming at everyone he saw.
Szélesen mosolyogva lépett be a szobába, és mindenkire rámosolygott, akit meglátott.
The children beamed with excitement when they opened their presents.
The coach beamed when the team won the final game.
They beamed at each other across the table.
Learner examples
She beamed with joy when she saw her friend.
Ragyogott az örömtől, amikor meglátta a barátját.
The little boy beamed at his father.
A kisfiú ragyogva mosolygott az apjára.
They beamed with pride after the show.
He beamed when he heard the good news.
Her face beamed with happiness.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'beam' here means only 'to shine'. When talking about people, 'beam' almost always means 'to smile very happily', especially in the patterns 'beam at' and 'beam with'.
Meaning
smile very happily
Collocations
beam with pride
|beam with joy
|beam at [someone]
|beaming smile
|beaming face
Synonyms
grin (Also means a big smile, but can sound more casual or sometimes slightly foolish or cheeky; 'beam' emphasizes happiness or pride.)
|
smile broadly (A direct descriptive phrase; less vivid but very clear.)
Antonyms
frown (Shows the opposite facial expression, linked to unhappiness or worry instead of joy.)
|
scowl (A very angry or displeased expression, strongly opposite to a beaming smile.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|relationships
Definition
To give a very big, happy smile.
To smile very broadly in a way that clearly shows happiness, pleasure, or pride.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[something] beams (down/through/into [place])
The sun beamed down on the crowded beach.
A nap tűzött a zsúfolt strandra.
Headlights beamed through the heavy rain.
A fényszórók fénye áthatolt a sűrű esőn.
A spotlight beamed onto the main actor.
Bright images were beamed onto the wall by the projector.
Lights beamed out across the city from the tower.
Learner examples
The sun beamed down on us all day.
Egész nap ránk tűzött a nap.
Strong lights beamed into the night sky.
Erős fények világítottak fel az éjszakai égboltra.
Her phone screen beamed in the dark room.
The projector beamed a picture on the wall.
Car lights beamed through the fog.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes try to use 'beam' for very weak light, where 'glow' or 'shine softly' would sound more natural. 'Beam' usually suggests strong or clearly directed light.
Meaning
shine or send out light
Collocations
sun beamed down
|lights beamed through
|headlights beamed into
|projector beamed onto
Synonyms
shine (More general; 'beam' suggests a stronger, more directed light.)
|
radiate (Often used for light or heat spreading out; 'beam' is more about a focused direction.)
Antonyms
go dark (Describes light sources stopping their light, the opposite of beaming light out.)
Themes
weather
|technology
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|nature
Definition
To give out bright light in one direction.
To shine or send out strong light in a particular direction.
NOUN
B2
4
gerenda
B1
Usage pattern:
a beam in [a building/structure]
Thick wooden beams support the old farmhouse roof.
Vastag fagerendák tartják a régi parasztház tetejét.
They installed a steel beam to carry the extra weight.
Beépítettek egy acélgerendát, hogy elbírja a többletsúlyt.
The ceiling beams were left exposed as a design feature.
Cracks in the main beam meant the building was unsafe.
Workers lifted the heavy concrete beam into place.
Learner examples
A big wooden beam holds the roof.
Egy nagy fagerenda tartja a tetőt.
We can see the old beams in the ceiling.
Látszanak a régi gerendák a mennyezeten.
They used a steel beam to make the house stronger.
The beam was broken after the storm.
He hit his head on the low beam.
Common mistake:
Some learners only know 'beam' as light and do not realize it is also a common word for a strong bar that supports a building.
Meaning
long supporting bar in a building
Collocations
wooden beam
|steel beam
|supporting beam
|roof beams
|exposed beams
|load-bearing beam
Synonyms
girder (A strong metal beam, especially in large buildings and bridges; more technical.)
|
joist (A smaller supporting beam in floors or ceilings; more specific and technical.)
Antonyms
pillar (Not a true opposite in meaning, but a vertical support as opposed to a typically horizontal beam.)
Themes
buildings
|engineering
|housing
|work
Definition
A long, thick bar of wood or metal that holds up parts of a building.
A long, strong piece of wood, metal, or concrete used horizontally to support the weight of a building or other structure.
VERB
C1
5
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] beams [something] (to [place])
The concert was beamed live to millions of viewers.
A koncertet élőben közvetítették több millió nézőnek.
Satellite dishes beam TV channels to homes across the country.
A parabolaantennák tévécsatornákat sugároznak az otthonokba országszerte.
The spacecraft beamed back clear images of the planet.
They beamed the interview directly to the studio.
Data is beamed to Earth from the space probe every day.
Learner examples
The show was beamed live on TV.
A műsort élőben közvetítették a tévében.
The satellite beams many channels to our country.
A műhold sok csatornát sugároz az országunkba.
The space robot beamed photos back to Earth.
They beamed the video to another city.
The station beams news to the whole region.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes limit this use of 'beam' to science fiction. In news and media, 'beam' is also common for sending TV, radio, or data signals.
Meaning
broadcast or send by signal
Collocations
beam live
|beam a signal
|beam images
|beam data
|beamed via satellite
|beamed around the world
Synonyms
broadcast (Very close in meaning; 'beam' can suggest direction or method (e.g. satellite, laser) more strongly.)
|
transmit (Technical and general; 'beam' often sounds a bit more vivid or visual.)
Antonyms
receive (Describes getting the signal rather than sending it, the opposite side of the transmission process.)
Themes
technology
|media
|communication
Definition
To send TV, radio, or other signals or pictures to another place using electronic equipment.
To send television, radio, or other signals, images, or information electronically to another place.
VERB
B2
6
Usage pattern:
[someone] beams [someone/something] (up/down/into [place])
In the movie, they can beam people up to the spaceship in seconds.
A filmben másodpercek alatt fel tudják sugározni az embereket az űrhajóra.
The captain ordered the crew to beam her down to the planet’s surface.
A kapitány megparancsolta a legénységnek, hogy sugározzák le őt a bolygó felszínére.
The scientist claims he can beam objects from one lab to another.
They were suddenly beamed into a different dimension.
The characters are beamed aboard the alien ship at the end of the episode.
Learner examples
The hero can beam to another planet.
A hős képes teleportálni egy másik bolygóra.
In the show, they beam people up to the ship.
A sorozatban embereket sugároznak fel az űrhajóra.
The machine can beam a person into space.
They were beamed into a new place.
He said, “Beam me up, please.”
Common mistake:
Some learners think this meaning is real science, but in everyday English it is almost always used in a science-fiction or joking context.
Meaning
transport instantly using an energy beam
Collocations
beam me up
|beam down
|beam aboard
|beam into the ship
Synonyms
teleport (General word for instant movement; 'beam' is often used in space or science fiction with a visible energy beam.)
Antonyms
travel (Normal movement through space over time, the opposite of instant transport by beaming.)
Themes
entertainment
|technology
|arts_entertainment
Definition
In science fiction stories, to move someone or something at once from one place to another with a special energy beam.
In science fiction, to move a person or thing instantly from one place to another using an energy beam.
NOUN
B2
7
gerenda
B1
tornagerenda
B2
Usage pattern:
perform on the beam
She performed a difficult routine on the beam at the competition.
Nehéz gyakorlatot mutatott be a gerendán a versenyen.
He slipped and fell off the beam during practice.
Megcsúszott, és edzés közben leesett a gerendáról.
The coach adjusted the beam to the correct height.
Her beam performance scored the highest of the night.
The gymnast mounted the beam with a smooth jump.
Learner examples
She can do many tricks on the beam.
Sok elemet meg tud csinálni a gerendán.
The girl fell off the beam in the gym.
A lány leesett a gerendáról a tornateremben.
He practices on the balance beam every day.
The beam in the gym is very narrow.
Her beam routine was very strong.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the gymnastics 'beam' with a building beam. In sports news, 'beam' usually refers to the balance beam.
Meaning
narrow gymnastics bar (balance beam)
Collocations
balance beam
|on the beam
|mount the beam
|fall off the beam
|gymnastics beam
Synonyms
balance beam (The full name of the event and apparatus; 'beam' alone is often used in context of gymnastics.)
Themes
sports
|health
Definition
A long, high, narrow bar used in gymnastics for the balance beam event.
A long, narrow, raised bar that gymnasts perform on, especially in the event known as the balance beam.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
8
Usage pattern:
a ship with a beam of [measurement]
The ferry has a beam of 25 meters.
A komp legnagyobb szélessége 25 méter.
A wider beam makes the ship more stable in rough seas.
A nagyobb szélesség stabilabbá teszi a hajót a háborgó tengeren.
The yacht’s length and beam were listed in the brochure.
This river boat has a narrow beam to fit through the locks.
They designed the vessel with a greater beam for extra cargo space.
Learner examples
The ship has a beam of ten meters.
A hajó legnagyobb szélessége tíz méter.
A boat with a wide beam is usually more stable.
A szélesebb testű csónak általában stabilabb.
We checked the length and beam of the new ship.
This boat’s beam is too wide for the small river.
The ferry has a very large beam.
Common mistake:
Many learners do not know this technical meaning. It appears mainly in nautical or engineering contexts, not in everyday conversation.
Meaning
maximum width of a ship
Collocations
a beam of 10 meters
|narrow beam
|wide beam
|length and beam
Synonyms
width (General term; 'beam' is the technical word used specifically for ships and boats.)
Themes
transport
|engineering
|transportation
Definition
The widest width of a ship or boat.
The width of a ship or boat at its widest point.
Grammar
Dictionary form
beam
IPA
GB/bˈim/
US/bˈim/
Syllables & stress
beam (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (beam)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: beam
- Plural: beams
Verb
- Base: beam
- 3rd Person Singular: beams
- Present Participle: beaming
- Past: beamed
Word family
Forms
beams
noun
beaming
verb
beamed
verb
Related words
sunbeam
noun B1
Advanced or less common
moonbeam
noun
Expressions
beam at [someone]
1/bˈim ˈæt sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
smile widely at someone
To look at someone and give them a very big, happy smile.
Examples
- She beamed at me when I walked in.
- The baby beamed at his mother.
- They beamed at each other across the room.
beam down
1/bˈim dˈaʊn/
phrasal verb
transport someone down instantly (sci-fi)
In science fiction, to move someone or something at once from a ship or high place down to a planet or lower place using an energy beam.
Examples
- They beamed down to the surface to explore the planet.
- The crew will beam the supplies down to the base.
- In the film, soldiers are beamed down into the battle zone.
beam into
1/bˈim ˈɪntu/
fixed phrase
send a signal or show into a place
To send TV, radio, or other signals or pictures electronically into a place.
Examples
- The show is beamed into homes across the country.
- Live images were beamed into the conference hall.
- Foreign news channels are beamed into the region via satellite.
beam live
1/bˈim lˈaɪv/
fixed phrase
broadcast in real time
To send a program or event on TV, radio, or online at the same time it is happening.
Examples
- The concert will be beamed live around the world.
- The match was beamed live on several sports channels.
- The ceremony is being beamed live to millions of viewers.
beam up
1/bˈim ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
transport someone up instantly (sci-fi)
In science fiction, to move someone or something at once to a ship or higher place using an energy beam.
Examples
- The captain told the crew to beam her up to the spaceship.
- In the show, they can beam you up from any spot on the planet.
- He joked, “Beam me up, I’ve had enough of this meeting.”
beam with pride
1/bˈim wˈɪθ pɹˈaɪd/
fixed phrase
smile happily because of pride
To have a very big happy smile because you are very proud.
Examples
- The parents beamed with pride at their daughter’s success.
- He was beaming with pride as he showed us his medal.
- Teachers beamed with pride when the results were announced.
off beam
1/ˈɔf bˈim/
idiom
informal
wrong or not accurate
To be wrong, not correct, or not suitable in what you think or do.
Examples
- Your guess is a little off beam, I’m afraid.
- Critics said the government’s plan was completely off beam.
- If you think she did it for money, you’re way off beam.
on the beam
1/ˈɔn ðə bˈim/
idiom
informal
correct or on the right track
To be correct or doing something in the right way.
Examples
- Your analysis is right on the beam.
- The project finally seems to be on the beam now.
- Her comments were very much on the beam.