Joist
A joist is a horizontal structural member used in framing to span an open space, often between beams that subsequently transfer loads to vertical members. When incorporated into a floor framing system, joists serve to provide stiffness to the subfloor sheathing, allowing it to function as a horizontal diaphragm. Joists are often doubled or tripled, placed side by side, where conditions warrant, such as where wall partitions require support.
Joists are either made of wood, engineered wood, or steel, each of which have unique characteristics. Typically, wood joists have the cross section of a plank with the longer faces positioned vertically. However, engineered wood joists may have a cross section resembling the Roman capital letter “I”; these joists are referred to as I-joists. Steel joists can take on various shapes, resembling the Roman capital letters “C”, “I”, “L” and “S”.
Wood joists were also used in old-style timber framing. The invention of the circular saw for use in modern sawmills has made it possible to fabricate wood joists as dimensional lumber.
Joist (noun)
A piece of timber laid horizontally, or nearly so, to which the planks of the floor, or the laths or furring strips of a ceiling, are nailed.
Joist (verb)
To fit or furnish with joists.
Beam (noun)
Any large piece of timber or iron long in proportion to its thickness, and prepared for use.
Beam (noun)
One of the principal horizontal timbers of a building; one of the transverse members of a ship’s frame on which the decks are laid — supported at the sides by knees in wooden ships and by stringers in steel ones.
Beam (noun)
The maximum width of a vessel.
“This ship has more beam than that one.”
Beam (noun)
The crossbar of a mechanical balance, from the ends of which the scales are suspended.
Beam (noun)
The principal stem of the antler of a deer.
Beam (noun)
The pole of a carriage or chariot.
Beam (noun)
A weaving and the cylinder on which the cloth is rolled, as it is woven.
Beam (noun)
The straight part or shank of an anchor.
Beam (noun)
The central bar of a plow, to which the handles and colter are secured, and to the end of which are attached the oxen or horses that draw it.
Beam (noun)
In steam engines, a heavy iron lever having an oscillating motion on a central axis, one end of which is connected with the piston rod from which it receives motion, and the other with the crank of the wheel shaft.
Beam (noun)
A ray or collection of approximately parallel rays emitted from the sun or other luminous body.
“a beam of light”
“a beam of energy”
Beam (noun)
A ray; a gleam.
“a beam of hope, or of comfort”
Beam (noun)
One of the long feathers in the wing of a hawk.
Beam (noun)
A horizontal bar which connects the stems of two or more notes to group them and to indicate metric value.
Beam (noun)
An elevated rectangular dirt pile used to cheaply build an elevated portion of a railway.
Beam (verb)
To emit beams of light; shine; radiate.
“to beam forth light”
Beam (verb)
To smile broadly or especially cheerfully.
Beam (verb)
To furnish or supply with beams
Beam (verb)
To give the appearance of beams to.
Beam (verb)
To transmit matter or information via a high-tech wireless mechanism.
“Beam me up, Scotty; there’s no intelligent life down here.”
“The injured crewmembers were immediately beamed to sickbay.”
Beam (verb)
To stretch something (for example an animal hide) on a beam.
Beam (verb)
To put (something) on a beam
Beam (verb)
To connect (musical notes) with a beam, or thick line, in music notation.
Beam (noun)
a long, sturdy piece of squared timber or metal used to support the roof or floor of a building
“there are very fine oak beams in the oldest part of the house”
“the cottage boasts a wealth of exposed beams”
Beam (noun)
a narrow, raised horizontal piece of squared timber on which a gymnast balances while performing exercises
“a compulsory set of exercises on floor, vault, bars, and beam”
Beam (noun)
a horizontal piece of squared timber or metal supporting the deck and joining the sides of a ship
“the watertight skin and deck were put on over this framework of ribs and beams”
Beam (noun)
the direction of an object visible from the port or starboard side of a ship when it is perpendicular to the centre line of the vessel
“there was land in sight on the port beam”
Beam (noun)
a ship’s breadth at its widest point
“a cutter with a beam of 16 feet”
Beam (noun)
the width of a person’s hips
“notice how broad in the beam she’s getting?”
Beam (noun)
the main stem of a stag’s antler
“the wide beams sprouted ten main tines”
Beam (noun)
the crossbar of a balance.
Beam (noun)
an oscillating shaft which transmits the vertical piston movement of a beam engine to the crank or pump.
Beam (noun)
the shank of an anchor.
Beam (noun)
the main timber of a horse-drawn plough.
Beam (noun)
a ray or shaft of light
“a beam of light flashed in front of her”
“the torch beam dimmed perceptibly”
Beam (noun)
a directional flow of particles or radiation
“beams of electrons”
Beam (noun)
a series of radio or radar signals emitted as a navigational guide for ships or aircraft
“the detector simply pinpoints the radar beams that other ships transmit”
Beam (noun)
a radiant or good-natured look or smile
“a beam of satisfaction”
Beam (verb)
transmit (a radio signal or broadcast) in a specified direction
“the satellite beamed back radio signals to scientists on Earth”
Beam (verb)
(in science fiction) transport someone instantaneously to or from a spaceship
“mission controller, beam me up!”
Beam (verb)
(of a light or light source) shine brightly
“the sun’s rays beamed down”
Beam (verb)
smile radiantly
“she beamed with pleasure”
Beam (verb)
express (an emotion) with a radiant smile
“the instructress beamed her approval”