crossbeam

American

[kraws-beem, kros-] / ˈkrɔsˌbim, ˈkrɒs- /

noun

a transverse beam in a structure, as a joist.

crossbeam British

/ ˈkrɒsˌbiːm /

noun

a beam that spans from one support to another

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of crossbeam

First recorded in 1585–95; cross- + beam

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

crossbeam

Of course, the flags only “flew” in this airless wasteland because they were nailed to the horizontal crossbeam, forced to give the moonbase their permanent salute.

From Slate ● Sep. 30, 2023

Crews will rebuild the top crossbeam, and perhaps the top part of the column, in the next two to three months, he said.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 16, 2022

Across the road stands an Orthodox crucifix pocked with bullet holes and the words "save and protect" written on a crossbeam.

From US News ● Jun. 6, 2015

He believes the main crossbeam broke before the boat "folded up in a very peculiar way" and trapped Simpson between layers of "very tough material."

From Reuters ● Oct. 16, 2013

We’d propped it up on one side with the Windsurfer’s fiberglass crossbeam so we had a clear view of the water.

From "Adrift" by Paul Griffin

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023