trám

Trám is a noun used in Czech and Slovak to denote a beam or girder in construction. A trám is a load-bearing element that spans between supports to transfer vertical loads from floors, ceilings, or roofs. While typically made of wood, a trám can also refer to beams in steel or reinforced concrete constructions when described in context, such as ocelový trám (steel beam) or betonový trám (concrete beam).

In common construction terminology, trám is used in phrases that identify its function and location, for example dřevěný trám (wooden beam), stropní trám (ceiling beam), and krovový trám (roof beam). The term is predominantly found in technical and architectural texts in Czech and Slovak-speaking regions.

Etymology and usage notes: trám originates in the Slavic linguistic sphere and is related to similar words in nearby languages for load-bearing structural members. In languages outside the Czech and Slovak sphere, the word may not be used, and a direct translation such as "beam" or "girder" is employed instead. In English-language contexts describing Czech or Slovak carpentry, trám is often translated rather than left untranslated.

Overall, trám is a straightforward construction term for a primary load-bearing member within a building, with material and precise type determined by accompanying descriptors.