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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
Palisades Village displayed three beams of light rising from the property on Wednesday to mark the one-year anniversary of the devastating wildfires across Los Angeles County — and to honor the victims and survivors in the Pacific Palisades, Altadena and Malibu communities. Staff Report, Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026 Their family property has sat empty for years — the horse corral's beams are broken and its roof caved in, the garage tilts, and the house needs extensive repairs. Katheryn Houghton, NPR, 8 Jan. 2026 Right under the slanted roof on the top floor, the cozy entry-level rooms feature exposed ceiling beams and about 20 square feet of floor space, but their small windows (and no views to speak of) leave them a little dark. Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026 Ancient petroglyphs of human figures and cryptic symbols thought to have been scrawled by the Taino, the islands’ pre-Columbian inhabitants, appeared under our flashlight beams. Henry Wismayer, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026 When the sun goes down, three beams of light will illuminate the sky over the town that was, piercing the darkness that this time last year was lit with the unholy glow of a fire raging, with no end in sight. Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026 Some of the building’s roofs sport numerous large holes, exposing the beams underneath, and orange-brown discoloration on the shingles. Angela Palermo january 7, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2026 Modern headlights can have adapted driving beams and high-beam assists that use cameras and sensors to detect oncoming vehicles. Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 4 Jan. 2026 The two twisted helical stair stringers that support the treads are the structural beams that support the stairs and anyone going up and down them. Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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 Someone who beams when an expert tastes her homemade apple butter and genuinely enjoys it. Erin Hill, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beams
Noun
  • Her body, in a sense, the crime scene and her brain scans, blood work and X-rays are discussed in open court.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
  • In the wild, turtles spend a great deal of time basking in direct sunlight and absorbing its UVB rays.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In the classroom, Karter shines brightest in science and enjoys hands-on experiments.
    The Star, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Countries also need to work on better connecting intermittent renewables — those which work only when the sun shines or the wind blows — with batteries that can store their energy.
    Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Princess Charlotte, 10, grins at the camera, while her brothers, Prince George, 12, and Prince Louis, 7, have their faces turned towards their father.
    Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 2 Jan. 2026
  • California lawyer Arvand Naderi grins from one of the many billboards that have turned him into a regional star.
    Adam M. Rosen, thehustle.co, 12 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • On dark nights, the rim of the crater glows orange.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Inside, light from shaded lamps and sconces glows amber-soft.
    Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In one clip verified by ABC News, a man smiles at the camera, standing amid dozens of charred vehicles and lifeless bodies.
    Guy Davies, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Prue takes a bite, just smiles, and gives Tom a big thumbs-up.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Simmons laughs when recalling the experience.
    Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Honestly, my only regret is this thing in the eye [laughs].
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Beams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beams. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

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