# sunbeam

/ˈsənˌbim/ (US) · /sˈʌnbiːm/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sunbeam
Updated: 2026-10-17

## Definition

a bright ray of sunlight that you can see coming through a window or between clouds.

For teachers: a ray or shaft of sunlight, especially one made visible by surrounding shade, cloud, or dust.

## Examples

- A warm sunbeam falls across the kitchen table.
- A single sunbeam breaks through the clouds and lights up the wet garden path.
- Late afternoon sunbeams slant through the tall windows, catching dust in the quiet library air.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.