From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
beam n 1: a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather [syn: radio beam, beam] 2: long thick piece of wood or metal or concrete, etc., used in construction 3: a group of nearly parallel lines of electromagnetic radiation [syn: beam, ray, electron beam] 4: a column of light (as from a beacon) [syn: beam, beam of light, light beam, ray, ray of light, shaft, shaft of light, irradiation] 5: (nautical) breadth amidships 6: the broad side of a ship; "they sighted land on the port beam" 7: a gymnastic apparatus used by women gymnasts [syn: balance beam, beam] v 1: smile radiantly; express joy through one's facial expression 2: emit light; be bright, as of the sun or a light; "The sun shone bright that day"; "The fire beamed on their faces" [syn: shine, beam] 3: express with a beaming face or smile; "he beamed his approval" 4: broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television; "We cannot air this X-rated song" [syn: air, send, broadcast, beam, transmit] 5: have a complexion with a strong bright color, such as red or pink; "Her face glowed when she came out of the sauna" [syn: glow, beam, radiate, shine] 6: experience a feeling of well-being or happiness, as from good health or an intense emotion; "She was beaming with joy"; "Her face radiated with happiness" [syn: glow, beam, radiate, shine]