cross beam
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cross beam, crossbeam
1. A large beam between two walls.
2. A girder that holds the sides of a building together.
3. Any beam that crosses another.
4. A strut between the walings on opposite sides of an excavation.
5. A beam which runs transversely to the center line of a structure.
6. Any transverse beam in a structure, such as a joist.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.