I-beam

[ ahy-beem ]

/ ˈaɪˌbim /

a rolled or extruded metal beam having a cross section resembling an I. Compare H-beam.

Also called I-bar

[ahy-bahr] /ˈaɪˌbɑr/.

Origin of I-beam

First recorded in 1890–95

I like how Macchi makes an I-beam do the one thing it is absolutely meant not to do: bend.

An Artist's Melting Glance |Blake Gopnik |May 15, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Wyman collapsed into the bay of the I-beam as if he'd been kicked in the stomach.

The Syndic |C.M. Kornbluth
The other end of the crane in this case is supported by an I-beam on a row of iron columns.

Electric Transmission of Water Power |Alton D. Adams
With two of them straddling the I-beam, the leverage was great enough to pull the plate out.

The Black Star Passes |John W Campbell

I-beam was not loaded to its full capacity, its deflection caused an outward flexure of 3/4 in.

Some Mooted Questions in Reinforced Concrete Design |Edward Godfrey
Again the I-beam and handling machine were brought into play, and the plate was unloaded from the car.

The Black Star Passes |John W Campbell

I-beam

a rolled steel joist or a girder with a cross section in the form of a capital letter I Compare H-beam