hammerbeam

or ham·mer beam

[ ham-er-beem ]

noun

, Architecture.

1. a short wooden beam projecting from an interior wall to support or tie together rafters or arched roof braces.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hammerbeam¹

First recorded in 1820–25; hammer ( def ) + beam

Example Sentences

Under the soaring hammerbeam roof inside, there was only the muffled sound of shoes on a carpet newly laid over the flagstone floor.

From Seattle Times

The magnificent hammerbeam ceiling must be the only one in the world under which 21st century cocktails are regularly shaken, stirred and consumed.

From Forbes

The desperate and ultimately successful attempt to save Westminster Hall, the largest hammerbeam roof in Europe, is fought out inch by inch, as is the chaos of the first efforts to quell the fire.

From The Guardian

The Great Hall, chief feature of the place, still maintains its fifteenth century chestnut hammerbeam roof and armorial corbels; the Long Gallery, where Queen Elizabeth danced, the State bedroom where she slept, the Guard Room, quarters of the Archbishops’ bodyguard, are all existing; and the Chapel, with oaken bench-ends bearing the sculptured arms of Laud, of Juxon, and others, and the Archbishops’ pew, has lately been brought back to decent condition.

From Project Gutenberg

Other important examples of hammerbeam roofs exist over the halls of Hampton Court and Eltham palaces, and there are numerous examples of smaller dimensions in churches throughout England and particularly in the eastern counties.

From Project Gutenberg