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English Words Starting With B

10,030 entries — pick a word to see its definition, pronunciation, and usage.

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Noun Verb Adjective Adverb Plural noun Combining form Verb (transitive)Verb (intransitive)Verb (ambitransitive)

beam antenna
nounC2
/biːm ænˈtɛnə/A directional radio antenna that concentrates transmitted or received power in a specific, narrow beam.
beam brick
nounRare/Very Low Frequency
/ˈbiːm ˌbrɪk/A specially shaped brick with a reinforced or angled end designed to support floor beams or joists in traditional construction.
beam compass
nounC2
/ˈbiːm ˌkʌm.pəs/A technical drawing instrument consisting of a rigid beam with adjustable cursors or points, used for drawing large circles or arcs beyond the capacity of a standard compass.
beam engine
nounLow
/ˈbiːm ˌen.dʒɪn/An early type of steam engine with a large, pivoting overhead beam that transmits motion from the piston to a pump or flywheel.
beam fill
nounC2
/ˈbiːm ˌfɪl/The material (e.g., gravel, rubble, polystyrene beads) used to fill the cavity between the structural members (e.g., wooden or steel beams) in a floor or ceiling to provide leveling, sound insulation, or fire resistance.
beam hole
nounVery Low
/ˈbiːm ˌhəʊl/A physical opening or aperture through which a beam of radiation, particles, or light passes.
beam lights
plural-nounB2
/biːm laɪts/A phrase referring to the main, high-intensity forward lights of a vehicle, such as headlights, often implying they are set to full brightness.
beam mill
nounVery Low (Specialist/Historical)
/ˈbiːm ˌmɪl/A type of sawmill powered by a waterwheel (or other means) that uses a large, reciprocating saw blade (a "beam saw") to cut logs into planks along a single horizontal plane.
beam reach
nounRare
/ˈbiːm ˌriːtʃ/A point of sail where the wind blows perpendicularly across the boat (at a 90° angle to the centerline).
beam riding
nounC2
/ˈbiːm ˌraɪdɪŋ/A type of missile guidance system where a projectile follows a concentrated beam of energy (e.g., radar, laser) to its target.
beam sea
nounLow
/ˈbiːm ˌsiː/A sea in which the waves are moving parallel to a vessel's side (its beam).
beam splitter
nounC2
/ˈbiːm ˌsplɪt.ə/An optical device that splits a beam of light into two or more separate beams, often using a partially reflective surface.
beam trawl
nounC2/Technical
/ˈbiːm ˌtrɔːl/A type of fishing trawl net that is held open horizontally by a rigid beam or metal frame, rather than by otter boards (doors). It is designed to be dragged along the seafloor to catch bottom-dwelling fish and shellfish.
beam weapon
nounLow-Frequency / Niche
/ˈbiːm ˌwɛp.ən/A theoretical or fictional weapon that projects a focused beam of energy (e.g., light, heat, particles) to damage or destroy a target.
beam wind
nounLow
/ˈbiːm ˌwɪnd/A wind blowing at a right angle to a vessel's intended course.
beam-ends
plural-nounC2
/ˈbiːm ˌendz/The ends of the main transverse structural support (beams) of a wooden ship.
beam-power tube
nounC2/Highly Technical
/ˈbiːm ˌpaʊə ˌtjuːb/A type of vacuum tube (thermionic valve) in electronics, designed for power amplification, which uses specially arranged electrodes to form an electron beam directed at the anode (plate).
beamer
nounB2-C1
/ˈbiː.mər/A digital projector that projects images or video from a computer or other device onto a screen.
beamon
nounVery Low
/ˈbiːmən/A surname, primarily associated with the American long jumper Bob Beamon and his record-breaking 1968 Olympic achievement.
bean
interjectionnounverb+1A2
/biːn/The seed of certain plants, especially those of the legume family, used as food.

Showing 2381–2400 of 10030 words.