low beam
1
3.7
- noun
- /loʊ biːm/
- US
:
luz de cruce
- It is safer to keep your headlights on low beam in foggy conditions to see better without glare.
Examples
-
The halogen low beams were aimed too high, and there is more light above the cutoff.
Blog text (15) -
I have been flashed by people even when only my low beams are on.
Blog text (15) -
I had to resolve to leave my fog lights on so people would know those are just low beams, since fog lights will only come on with low beams.
Blog text (15) -
I had to resolve to leave my fog lights on so people would know those are just low beams, since fog lights will only come on with low beams.
Blog text (15) -
Use low beam headlights.
Blog text (23) -
Snowbanks gleam in the cockeyed glare of my misaligned left low beam.
Fiction book (1995) -
Motionless deer stood in the road, staring into the lights of the truck; they jumped away only when Ken, slowing down, flicked the lights to low beam.
Fiction book (1990) -
When driving at night, make sure to use your low beam headlights to avoid blinding other drivers.
-
The driver switched to low beam as he approached the oncoming car to maintain safe visibility.
Synonyms
A front light on a car that shines low to avoid blinding other drivers
A light setting that lights the road ahead without blinding other drivers
A light on a car that makes a low beam to light the road without hurting other drivers' eyes
A headlight set to point down to avoid blinding other drivers
A headlight setting that lights the road without blinding other drivers
Antonyms
How Bright
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'low' (reduced height/angle or intensity) modifying 'beam' (a shaft of light), so the phrase denotes a beam that is directed low or of reduced glare for headlights. This follows ordinary English composition patterns and similar vehicle-lighting terms exist across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words can reliably infer the meaning.
Etymology
Low beam The name low beam comes from the simple image of a car's beam of light pointed low so it lights the road ahead without shining into other drivers' eyes. That's why 'low beam' means the headlight setting that gives short-range light to 'avoid dazzling other drivers'.