A large volume of light radiating in a given direction is referred to as a?

A large volume of light radiating in a given direction is best described as a beam. The term "beam" refers specifically to a concentrated stream of light that is typically directional. This could be a parallel beam, such as that emitted from a laser, or a diverging beam from a flashlight.

In optics, the concept of a beam contrasts with other terms like ray, which usually denotes an infinitely thin line along which light travels, rather than a volume. Additionally, while "wave" refers to the propagation of light as an electromagnetic wave, it doesn't imply directionality in the same way that a beam does. The term "field" can refer to the area affected by a distribution of light or electromagnetic energy, but again, it is more general and doesn’t focus specifically on the idea of light radiating in a directional manner.

Thus, when referring to a sizable volume of light moving outward in a specific direction, "beam" is the most appropriate and accurate term.