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tie beam

tie beam

7.3
A long horizontal piece that stops two roof sides or walls spreading apart
  • noun
  • /taɪ biːm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : viga de amarre
  • A carpenter explained how a tie beam keeps the rafters stable in a wooden frame.

Examples

  • The architect specified an extra tie beam to support the old roof.

  • Without a tie beam, the stone walls might shift apart over time.

  • The tie beam supports the roof structure.

  • The architect specified a tie beam for the design.

  • A carpenter explained how a tie beam keeps the rafters stable in a wooden frame.

  • The architect specified an extra tie beam to support the old roof.

  • Without a tie beam, the stone walls might shift apart over time.

Synonyms

beam
vstie beam
104 2.7

A long strong piece of wood, metal, or concrete that supports part of a building

focuses on stopping parts from spreading apart rather than mainly holding weight
girder
vstie beam
  • Specialized
14 5.0

A long strong beam usually made of steel that supports buildings or bridges

is smaller and mainly prevents members separating rather than carrying major loads
tie
vstie beam
  • Specialized
12 7.9

A strong beam placed across a building to stop parts moving apart

is the same but excludes the railway sleeper meaning
bracing
vstie beam
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A support added to a frame to keep it steady

is about preventing parts from separating rather than general stiffening
structural member
vstie beam
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A part of a building, like a beam, that holds weight

is the specific part that holds members together to stop them spreading
load-bearing beam
vstie beam
  • Specialized
1 5.5

A strong piece of wood or metal that holds the weight of parts of a building

is used to stop parts from spreading, not mainly to transmit vertical loads
stemple
vstie beam
  • UK
9.9

A strong post that holds up a roof or wall, for example in a mine

is used to hold members together to stop them spreading apart

How Strong

girder
  • Specialized
14 5.0
tie beam
  • Specialized
7.3
beam
104 2.7
joist
5 7.5
plank
56 1.7

Surface Forms

tie beam singular
tie beams plural

Morphology

tie + beam

The meaning is directly compositional: 'tie' (a piece of timber used for stability) combined with 'beam' (a supporting member) yields a beam whose function is to tie or hold structural members together. This noun–noun compound follows standard English compounding patterns and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

Tie beam is a simple picture: a long beam that ties two walls or rafters together so they cannot move apart. That is why it means a horizontal beam used to 'hold together' parts of a building.