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laser beam

laser beam

17 3.9
A very narrow, bright light in one color that can cut or point at things
  • noun
  • /ˈleɪzər biːm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : rayo láser
  • The spatial profile of the laser beam some distance from the laser is thus elliptical.
  • modulate a laser beam
  • scanned with a laser beam
  • laser beam power

OK, So, David, what happens to an airplane that flies accidentally into the laser beams that are propelling these?

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Examples

  • Pinpricks of painful brilliance seemed to leap from the screen like laser beams.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • You basically produce a very powerful laser beam on Earth.

  • This place could be covered with laser beams.

  • You can shine a laser beam on one side of the object and do and achieve the same goal.

  • The first laser beam was generated through a diamond.

  • The tightly focused laser beam with its very small spot size provides easier access to these areas.

    Academic text (1995)
  • The researchers used thin laser beams to evaporate rocks in the region and date them.

  • Samples were taken from the anteroinferior surface of the left inferior turbinate where the laser beam was applied.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The scientist pointed the laser beam at the target to measure its distance accurately.

  • In the demonstration, the artist created stunning effects with a laser beam projected onto the wall.

Synonyms

ray
vslaser beam
327 1.0

A narrow line of light like a sunbeam

is coherent, intense, and single wavelength unlike general lines of light
beam
vslaser beam
  • Specialized
275 3.4

A line of light that shines from one place to another

is a narrow coherent monochromatic light from a specific device
beam of light
vslaser beam
12 2.5

A narrow line of light from a lamp or the sun

is coherent monochromatic light produced by a device rather than general sources
light beam
vslaser beam
4 2.2

A narrow column of light that you can see in the air

is intense and coherent not just visible light passing through air
microbeam
vslaser beam
  • Specialized
7.9

A very narrow beam of energy used to study or treat tiny parts of cells

is coherent monochromatic light rather than particle or general radiation

How Focused

laser beam
  • Specialized
17 3.9
ray
327 1.0
beam
  • Specialized
275 3.4
glow
119 1.0

Surface Forms

laser beam singular
laser beams plural

Morphology

laser + beam

The meaning 'a narrow, intense beam of light produced by a laser' is directly and compositionally derived from 'laser' (an instrument generating focused light) + 'beam' (a directed shaft of light). This is a straightforward noun–noun compound following regular English compounding patterns and similar logic exists in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will understand it.

Etymology

The compound laser beam joins laser, a very strong, focused light, and beam, a straight line of light. Imagine a bright, thin pencil of light that can cut or point, and you can see why laser beam means 'a narrow, intense beam of light' today.