beamer

IPA/ˈbiː.mər/
KK[bˈimɚ]IPA/ˈbiː.ɚ/

beamer — noun

  • beamersingular
  • beamersplural

1. an electronic device that throws a large image or video onto a wall or screen

1.nounB2
Definition

an electronic device that throws a large image or video onto a wall or screen

Example

Sophia plugged the beamer into her laptop before the sales meeting.

collocation: plug a beamer into a laptop

The school bought a new beamer for films in the language room.

classroom use: beamer for films

Common collocations
  • set up a beamer
  • turn on a beamer
  • plug a beamer into
  • beamer image
  • portable beamer
Synonyms
  • projector

    the neutral and most widely understood word for this device

  • video projector

    makes clear that the device shows digital moving images rather than film

  • data projector

    common in office or classroom contexts, especially when connected to a computer

Usage Note

Mainly informal and regional, especially in British and European English. In North America and in many classrooms in Taiwan, speakers usually say projector instead.

Common Mistakes

Please turn on the beam before class.
Please turn on the beamer before class.
a beam is the light itself; a beamer is the machine.
We need a beamer machine for the talk.
We need a beamer for the talk.
beamer already names the device, so machine is unnecessary.

2. in cricket, a full toss that gets to the batter at waist height or higher withou

2.nounC2
Definition

in cricket, a full toss that gets to the batter at waist height or higher without bouncing first

Example

The umpire warned Nicholas after his beamer flew past the batter's chest.

cricket: dangerous full toss above the body

Jessica stepped away as the beamer came straight at her helmet.

Common collocations
  • bowl a beamer
  • deliver a beamer
  • dangerous beamer
  • chest-high beamer
  • no-ball for a beamer
Synonyms
  • full toss

    a broader term for any ball that reaches the batter without bouncing; a beamer is the dangerous high kind

  • high full toss

    describes the height directly, while beamer often carries a stronger sense of danger

Usage Note

Usually said of a dangerous or illegal delivery, not an ordinary high ball. A beamer reaches the batter without pitching first, so it can rise into the body area quickly.

Common Mistakes

It was a bouncer, so the umpire called it a beamer.
It was a beamer, so the umpire called a no-ball.
a bouncer rises after bouncing, but a beamer does not pitch first.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These words all point to a machine that shows an image on a wall or screen, but they are not equal in tone or range. Projector is the safest general word and works in almost any variety of English. Video projector is more specific when you want to stress digital pictures or moving images. Data projector is common in office and classroom settings, especially when a computer is the source. Beamer is the most regional choice: many speakers in Britain and parts of Europe know it well, but others may not. If you want the widest understanding, say projector. If you hear beamer, the speaker usually means the same device in a more informal local way.

projector ↗video projectordata projectorbeamer ↗

Etymology

English

Beamer is a modern English formation from beam with the suffix -er. In the projector sense, the link is direct because the device sends a beam of light carrying the picture onto a screen. The cricket sense is newer sports slang for a ball that travels straight through the air to the batter without first pitching on the ground.