in weaving, a long thick wooden cylinder, placed lengthwise on the back part of the loom of those who work with a shuttle. That cylinder on which the stuff is rolled as it is weaved is also called the beam or roller, and is placed on the fore-part of the loom.

BEAMS of a Ship are the great main cross-timbers which hold the sides of the ship from falling together, and also support the deck and the orlop. The main beam is next the main-mast, and from it they are successively reckoned as first, second, third, and so on. The greatest beam of all is called the midship beam. A ship is said to be on her beam-ends when she inclines so much to one side that her beams approach to a vertical position.

Beam-Compass, an instrument consisting of a square wooden or brass beam, with sliding sockets that carry steel or pencil points. Beam-compasses are used for describing larger circles than can conveniently be drawn by the common compasses.