beam vs ray

beam and ray both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
beam	Yes	No	Yes	No
ray	Yes	No	Yes	No

As nouns, beam and ray are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of beam include beam of light, irradiation, light beam, ray of light, shaft, shaft of light.

As nouns, beam and ray are synonyms defined as:

beam and ray: a group of nearly parallel lines of electromagnetic radiation

Other synonyms of beam include electron beam.

beam (noun)	ray (noun)
long thick piece of wood or metal or concrete, etc., used in construction	cartilaginous fishes having horizontally flattened bodies and enlarged winglike pectoral fins with gills on the underside; most swim by moving the pectoral fins
a gymnastic apparatus used by women gymnasts	any of the stiff bony spines in the fin of a fish
the broad side of a ship	the syllable naming the second (supertonic) note of any major scale in solmization
(nautical) breadth amidships	a column of light (as from a beacon)
a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather	a group of nearly parallel lines of electromagnetic radiation
a column of light (as from a beacon)	a branch of an umbel or an umbelliform inflorescence
a group of nearly parallel lines of electromagnetic radiation	(mathematics) a straight line extending from a point

beam (verb)	ray (verb)
smile radiantly; express joy through one's facial expression	expose to radiation
broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television	extend or spread outward from a center or focus or inward towards a center
express with a beaming face or smile	emit as rays
experience a feeling of well-being or happiness, as from good health or an intense emotion
have a complexion with a strong bright color, such as red or pink
emit light; be bright, as of the sun or a light