Beam wind


a wind blowing against a vessel from a direction at right angles to its keel.
Historical Examples

When all was ship-shape, the Mary Thomas was lying gallantly over on her side to a beam wind and plunging ahead due south.
Dutch Courage and Other Stories Jack London

When they were come out of the cabin again, he noticed that the boat had changed her course and was running with a beam wind.
Sir Christopher Maud Wilder Goodwin

But her faith in the boat was justified, for she sailed wonderfully well with the beam wind.
A Sea Queen’s Sailing Charles Whistler

When all was shipshape, the Mary Thomas was lying gallantly over on her side to a beam wind and plunging ahead due south.
Stories of Ships and the Sea Jack London

On a stormy day, with beam wind for a considerable part of the course, such an appendage will undoubtedly assist a sculler.
Boating W. B. Woodgate

The latter method is one way of “coming to,” instead of luffing up in the usual way from a beam wind.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 2 Various

Round swept the Golden Hope, heeling over to the beam wind as it caught her retrimmed sails.
The Quest of the ‘Golden Hope’ Percy F. Westerman

The canoe jumped to mount the glossy waves raised by the beam wind.
Heralds of Empire Agnes C. Laut

Now, however, we had a beam wind, and tore along merrily enough.
The Handbook to the Rivers and Broads of Norfolk & Suffolk G. Christopher Davies

As it was, the Dazzler had a beam wind in which to overtake him.
The Cruise of the Dazzler Jack London

Read Also:

  • Beam-powered propulsion

    noun a class of propulsion mechanism that beams energy beamed to a spacecraft or other machine from a remote power source Examples Beam-powered propulsion allows space machines and robots to be recharged from a distance. Word Origin 1964 Usage Note also beam-powered technology

  • Beam-powered technology

    noun See beam-powered propulsion

  • Beamed

    any of various relatively long pieces of metal, wood, stone, etc., manufactured or shaped especially for use as rigid members or parts of structures or machines. Building Trades. a horizontal bearing member, as a joist or lintel. Engineering. a rigid member or structure supported at each end, subject to bending stresses from a direction perpendicular […]

  • Beamy

    emitting beams of or as of light; radiant. broad in the beam, as a ship. Zoology. having antlers, as a stag. Historical Examples The winter is over and gone; spring has followed with beamy and shadowy, with flowery and showery flight. Shirley Charlotte Bront He broke Clessammor’s beamy spear in twain; he seized his shining […]

  • Beamer

    noun (cricket) a full-pitched ball bowled at the batsman’s head Historical Examples beamer joined the company at its organization, and was made 2nd Corporal March 7, ’63. History of Company K. 1st (Inft,) Penn’a Reserves H. N. (Henry N.) Minnigh Faults in quality or mistakes made in the spinning-room are often credited to the winder, […]


Disclaimer: Beam wind definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.