Definition

Noun: 1. A concentrated, coherent beam of light generated by a laser: A laser beam is a highly focused, intense, and single-colored (monochromatic) stream of light. It is produced when atoms or molecules in a laser device are stimulated to emit light energy in a specific, organized way, resulting in a beam that does not spread out like ordinary light.

Usage

A "laser beam" is used as a countable noun. It refers to the physical column of light itself. - The surgeon used a precise laser beam for the delicate eye operation. - The laser beam from the pointer was visible in the dusty air. - Scientists measured the distance to the moon by bouncing a laser beam off a reflector left by astronauts.

Advanced Usage

• Figurative Use for Focus or Precision: In informal contexts, "laser beam" can describe an intense, unwavering focus, similar to the concentrated nature of the light beam.
  • She fixed the problem with laser-beam intensity. (Here, "laser-beam" acts as a compound adjective modifying "intensity").
  • His attention was like a laser beam, missing nothing.

Variants and Related Words

• Laser (noun): The device that produces a laser beam. (e.g., , ).
• Beam (noun): A ray or stream of light or other radiation. A laser beam is a specific type of beam.

Synonyms

• Ray: A line of light, but less intense and coherent than a laser beam.
• Light beam: A general term for a column of light.

Related Phrases

• Laser beam printer (noun): A type of printer that uses a laser beam to create an image on a drum. (This is a compound term where "laser beam" modifies "printer").
• Laser beam welding (noun): A welding technique that employs a laser beam as the heat source.

Noun

1. a beam of light generated by a laser