Pole vs. Beam — What's the Difference?

Either extremity of an axis through a sphere.

A long, sturdy piece of squared timber or metal used to support the roof or floor of a building

Either of the regions contiguous to the extremities of the earth's rotational axis, the North Pole or the South Pole.

A ray or shaft of light

(Physics) See magnetic pole.

A radiant or good-natured look or smile

(Electricity) Either of two oppositely charged terminals, as in an electric cell or battery.

Transmit (a radio signal or broadcast) in a specified direction

(Astronomy) See celestial pole.

(of a light or light source) shine brightly

Either extremity of the main axis of a nucleus, cell, or organism.

Smile radiantly

Either end of the spindle formed in a cell during mitosis.

A squared-off log or a large, oblong piece of timber, metal, or stone used especially as a horizontal support in construction.

The point on a nerve cell where a process originates.

A transverse structural member of a ship's frame, used to support a deck and to brace the sides against stress.

Either of two antithetical ideas, propensities, forces, or positions.

The breadth of a ship at the widest point.

A fixed point of reference.

The side of a ship

The origin in a polar coordinate system; the vertex of a polar angle.

(Informal) The widest part of a person's hips

A point in the complex plane at which a given function is not defined.

A steel tube or wooden roller on which the warp is wound in a loom.

A long, relatively slender, generally rounded piece of wood or other material.

An oscillating lever connected to an engine piston rod and used to transmit power to the crankshaft.

The long tapering wooden shaft extending up from the front axle of a vehicle to the collars of the animals drawing it; a tongue.

The bar of a balance from which weighing pans are suspended.

See rod.

(Sports) A balance beam.

A unit of area equal to a square rod.

The main horizontal bar on a plow to which the share, coulter, and handles are attached.

(Sports) The inside position on the starting line of a racetrack

One of the main stems of a deer's antlers.

A native or inhabitant of Poland.

A ray or shaft of light.

A person of Polish ancestry.

A concentrated stream of particles or a similar propagation of waves

To propel with a pole

A radio beam.

To propel (oneself) or make (one's way) by the use of ski poles

To radiate light; shine.

To support (plants) with a pole.

To smile expansively.

To strike, poke, or stir with a pole.

To emit or transmit

To propel a boat or raft with a pole.

To express by means of a radiant smile

To use ski poles to maintain or gain speed.

Any large piece of timber or iron long in proportion to its thickness, and prepared for use.

Originally, a stick; now specifically, a long and slender piece of metal or (especially) wood, used for various construction or support purposes.

One of the principal horizontal structural members, usually of steel, timber, or concrete, of a building; one of the transverse members of a ship's frame on which the decks are laid — supported at the sides by knees in wooden ships and by stringers in steel ones.

A construction by which an animal is harnessed to a carriage.

(nautical) The maximum width of a vessel (note that a vessel with a beam of 15 foot can also be said to be 15 foot abeam).

(angling) A type of basic fishing rod.

(nautical) The direction across a vessel, perpendicular to fore-and-aft.

A long sports implement used for pole-vaulting; now made of glassfiber or carbon fiber, formerly also metal, bamboo and wood have been used.

The crossbar of a mechanical balance, from the ends of which the scales are suspended.

A telescope used to identify birds, aeroplanes or wildlife.

The principal stem of the antler of a deer.

(historical) A unit of length, equal to a rod (4 chain or 2 yards).

(literary) The pole of a carriage or chariot.

(motor racing) Pole position.

(textiles) A cylinder of wood, making part of a loom, on which weavers wind the warp before weaving and the cylinder on which the cloth is rolled, as it is woven.

A gun.

The straight part or shank of an anchor.

(vulgar) A penis

The central bar of a plow, to which the handles and colter are secured, and to the end of which are attached the oxen or horses that draw it.

Either of the two points on the earth's surface around which it rotates; also, similar points on any other rotating object.

In steam engines, a heavy iron lever having an oscillating motion on a central axis, one end of which is connected with the piston rod from which it receives motion, and the other with the crank of the wheel shaft.

A point of magnetic focus, especially each of the two opposing such points of a magnet (designated north and south).

A ray or collection of approximately parallel rays emitted from the sun or other luminous body.

(geometry) A fixed point relative to other points or lines.

(figuratively) A ray; a gleam.

(electricity) A contact on an electrical device (such as a battery) at which electric current enters or leaves.

One of the long feathers in the wing of a hawk.

(complex analysis) For a meromorphic function $f(z)$, any point $a$ for which $f(z)\; \backslash rightarrow\; \backslash infty$ as $z\; \backslash rightarrow\; a$.

(music) A horizontal bar which connects the stems of two or more notes to group them and to indicate metric value.

(obsolete) The firmament; the sky.

(railway) An elevated rectangular dirt pile used to cheaply build an elevated portion of a railway.

Either of the states that characterize a bipolar disorder.

(gymnastics) balance beam

To propel by pushing with poles, to push with a pole.

(ambitransitive) To emit beams of light; to shine; to radiate.

To identify something quite precisely using a telescope.

To smile broadly or especially cheerfully.

(transitive) To furnish with poles for support.

(transitive) To furnish or supply with beams.

(transitive) To convey on poles.

(transitive) To give the appearance of beams to.

(transitive) To stir, as molten glass, with a pole.

To transmit matter or information via a high-tech wireless mechanism.

To strike (the ball) very hard.

To transmit, especially by direct wireless means such as infrared.

(transitive) To induce piezoelectricity in (a substance) by aligning the dipoles.

To stretch something (for example, an animal hide) on a beam.

A native or inhabitant of Poland; a Polander.

To put (something) on a beam.

A long, slender piece of wood; a tall, slender piece of timber; the stem of a small tree whose branches have been removed; as, specifically: (a) A carriage pole, a wooden bar extending from the front axle of a carriage between the wheel horses, by which the carriage is guided and held back. (b) A flag pole, a pole on which a flag is supported. (c) A Maypole. See Maypole. (d) A barber's pole, a pole painted in stripes, used as a sign by barbers and hairdressers. (e) A pole on which climbing beans, hops, or other vines, are trained.

To connect (musical notes) with a beam, or thick line, in music notation.

A measuring stick; also, a measure of length equal to 5 yards, or a square measure equal to 30 square yards; a rod; a perch.

Any large piece of timber or iron long in proportion to its thickness, and prepared for use.

Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one of the extremities of the earth's axis; as, the north pole.

One of the principal horizontal timbers of a building or ship.

A point upon the surface of a sphere equally distant from every part of the circumference of a great circle; or the point in which a diameter of the sphere perpendicular to the plane of such circle meets the surface. Such a point is called the pole of that circle; as, the pole of the horizon; the pole of the ecliptic; the pole of a given meridian.

The width of a vessel; as, one vessel is said to have more beam than another.

One of the opposite or contrasted parts or directions in which a polar force is manifested; a point of maximum intensity of a force which has two such points, or which has polarity; as, the poles of a magnet; the north pole of a needle.

The bar of a balance, from the ends of which the scales are suspended.

The firmament; the sky.

The principal stem or horn of a stag or other deer, which bears the antlers, or branches.

To furnish with poles for support; as, to pole beans or hops.

The pole of a carriage.

To convey on poles; as, to pole hay into a barn.

A cylinder of wood, making part of a loom, on which weavers wind the warp before weaving; also, the cylinder on which the cloth is rolled, as it is woven; one being called the fore beam, the other the back beam.

To impel by a pole or poles, as a boat.

The straight part or shank of an anchor.

To stir, as molten glass, with a pole.

The main part of a plow, to which the handles and colter are secured, and to the end of which are attached the oxen or horses that draw it.

A long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic

A heavy iron lever having an oscillating motion on a central axis, one end of which is connected with the piston rod from which it receives motion, and the other with the crank of the wheel shaft; - called also working beam or walking beam.

A native or inhabitant of Poland

A ray or collection of parallel rays emitted from the sun or other luminous body; as, a beam of light, or of heat.

One of two divergent or mutually exclusive opinions;

A ray; a gleam; as, a beam of comfort.

A linear measure of 16.5 feet

One of the long feathers in the wing of a hawk; - called also beam feather.

A square rod of land

To send forth; to emit; - followed ordinarily by forth; as, to beam forth light.

One of two points of intersection of the Earth's axis and the celestial sphere

To emit beams of light.

One of two antipodal points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects the Earth's surface

A signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides pilots in darkness or bad weather

A contact on an electrical device (such as a battery) at which electric current enters or leaves

Long thick piece of wood or metal or concrete, etc., used in construction

A long fiberglass sports implement used for pole vaulting

A column of light (as from a beacon)

One of the two ends of a magnet where the magnetism seems to be concentrated

A group of nearly parallel lines of electromagnetic radiation

Propel with a pole;

(nautical) breadth amidships

Support on poles;

A gymnastic apparatus used by women gymnasts

Deoxidize molten metals by stirring them with a wooden pole

Smile radiantly; express joy through one's facial expression

Emit light; be bright, as of the sun or a light;

Express with a beaming face or smile;

Broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television;

Especially of the complexion: show a strong bright color, such as red or pink;

Experience a feeling of well-being or happiness, as from good health or an intense emotion;