beams 1 of 2

Definition of beamsnext
plural of beam
as in rays
a narrow sharply defined line of light radiating from an object we'll need a flashlight that casts a broader beam in order to really see anything

Synonyms & Similar Words

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beams

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of beam

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of beams
Noun
Throughout the property, the original building's bones— beams, tiles, pillars, and window frames—were gently restored to show their age and patina, not conceal it. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026 When these rapidly spinning neutron stars blast out radiation from their poles, that radiation sweeps across the cosmos like beams of light from a cosmic lighthouse. Robert Lea, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026 In the days before Holy Week, the statues are hoisted onto large platforms with rows of parallel wooden beams running underneath. Alexis Marshall, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026 The Daniel’s Mill, which opened as a thread manufacturer in the Civil War era, requires the most work because one of its subsequent owners manufactured fire retardant paint, a process that contaminated the rafters, support beams, flooring and more. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026 Later, on our drive home, Ingrid tells me about the aerial silk ropes installed in the beams of the family’s living room ceiling and promises to put on an acrobatics show worthy of its own write-up. Namir Khaliq, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026 On that second building, which had been open to the sky above, a new roof now keeps the rain out, and support beams over the garage bay openings have been replaced. Eric D. Lawrence, Freep.com, 31 Mar. 2026 The researchers also demonstrated multiuser operation by running several beams at once. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026 Its striking color originated from the steel beams being coated with a red lead primer. Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
Nicholas Hoult beams with his bleached hair and Prada button-up courtside at the Lakers versus Cleveland Cavaliers game in Los Angeles on March 31. Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026 Now there’s Hoppers, the latest blockbuster Pixar film, which follows a girl who beams her brain into a beaver robot in the hope of saving a beloved habitat. David Sims, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026 Based on research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the device beams patients with gamma frequency light and sound for an hour a day. Mario Aguilar, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026 The room beams casual charm — plants, light woods, abstract prints on the wall to add color, a communal table and a toddler-size rocking chair among a couple Eames-style loungers — and couldn’t hold many more people. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026 The characters’ spoken language is unfamiliar, but passionate, and the performances are driven by pure intent that beams through their heavy prosthetics. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026 The same cousin now beams about ChatGPT. Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025 This imager beams a monochrome green image directly to your eye, with a level of light dim enough to be safe but bright enough to be seen against ambient light. IEEE Spectrum, 13 Nov. 2025 This estimates the bike's position and mass in real time, and beams that to the rider aids for more precise cornering ABS and wheelie control intervention so the bike can hold a tight line. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beams
Noun
  • The latter creates a beautiful interplay of light and dark, allowing the sun’s rays to effortlessly pass through it.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Another discovery was a new chimaera — also known as a ghost shark or rat fish — a type of animal related to sharks and rays, which have cartilaginous rather than bony skeletons.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Your generous heart shines brighter when your schedule reflects your soul rather than proving yourself at any cost.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
  • But the current crisis shines a giant spotlight on the fragility of an economic system where global stability is inherently tied to the uninterrupted flow of oil.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Jesus grins when asked which of the two pushes players harder in training.
    Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The suspect in a stabbing in Edinburgh, Scotland, grins out a window before his arrest, March 2, 2026.
    Lindsay Quella, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Hundreds of monarch butterflies are painted across the translucent panels, and when sunlight shines through, the structure glows in rich amber tones.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
  • There’s a small LED indicator on the top of the device that pulses white when the sensor is ready for setup, briefly glows red when motion is detected, and briefly flashes green and blue during a reset.
    John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Sam Asghari smiles with Paul Feig at a Human Rights Campaign dinner in Los Angeles on March 28.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
  • And Jacob Elordi smiles and raises his fist as the hair/makeup team shout out the actor for sitting in a makeup chair for 400 hours to become the Creature.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Henry takes in Link, who at this point is a teenager and laughs him off.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Now a senior, Kleemann just laughs at the idea.
    Sam Brief, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beams. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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