noun
sunbeam
SUN-beem/ˈsʌnbiːm/
A ray of sunlight.
A sunbeam crosses the dim room from the high window.
Etymology
Beam once meant a tree or timber; its light sense probably arose from its use for the biblical “pillar of fire.” Sunbeam combines that ray sense with sun.
In context
Without particles, a sunbeam would actually be invisible. This scattering also explains why you see thick rays coming from behind clouds.
More examples
- Dust drifted through the narrow sunbeam.
- The cat slept in a warm sunbeam.
- A sunbeam broke through the clouds.
Forms
sunbeam · sunbeams
Similar words
- ray
- Ray is any narrow beam of light; sunbeam specifically comes from the sun.
- shaft of light
- A shaft of light describes a visible narrow beam; a sunbeam identifies its source.