noun
beam
A long, rigid piece used as a support.
A thick wooden beam supports the roof above the open doorway.
Etymology
The older word names a tree or piece of timber. The structural sense follows directly from using a long, solid piece of wood to carry weight across a space.
More examples
- The builders replace a damaged ceiling beam.
- Several steel beams span the new workshop.
- The lamp hangs from a beam in the old barn.
Forms
beam · beams
Similar words
- girder
- Usually a major supporting beam in a substantial structure.
- plank
- Usually flatter and may not serve as a main support.