noun
Uncommon
beacon
BEE-kuhn
Beacon (noun) means a light, fire, or signal used to guide, warn, or mark a location. Example: “The lighthouse beacon guided ships safely past the rocks.”
noun
1
A light, fire, or signal used to guide, warn, or mark a location.
"The lighthouse beacon guided ships safely past the rocks."
"A flashing beacon marked the edge of the runway."
"Villagers lit a beacon on the hill to warn of danger."
2
A person or thing that serves as a guiding example or symbol of hope.
"The charity became a beacon of hope for the whole community."
"To many young players, the old coach was a beacon of fairness."
"The small library stood as a beacon of learning in the poor district."
verb
1
To send out light or a signal, as a beacon does.
"The tower beaconed across the bay every ten seconds."
"A red lamp beaconed from the cliff all through the foggy night."
"The lighthouse kept beaconing so that the fishing boats could find the harbour."
How to use beacon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA guiding light or signal, or figuratively, someone or something that inspires and guides others.
Common pairings
a beacon of hope
flashing beacon
guiding beacon
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- beacons
- Past tense
- beaconed
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The lighthouse _____ guided ships safely past the rocks.
Etymology
From Old English "bēacn," meaning "sign" or "signal," related to the word "buoy."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for beacon
See all rhymes for beacon →Frequently asked questions
What does “beacon” mean?
The word “beacon” means a light, fire, or signal used to guide, warn, or mark a location. In plain terms, a guiding light or signal, or figuratively, someone or something that inspires and guides others.
How do you pronounce “beacon”?
“Beacon” is pronounced BEE-kuhn (/ˈbiːkən/ in IPA).
How do you use “beacon” in a sentence?
Here is “beacon” used in a sentence: “The lighthouse beacon guided ships safely past the rocks.”
What part of speech is “beacon”?
Depending on how it is used, “beacon” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “beacon” come from?
The word “beacon” comes from Old English. From Old English "bēacn," meaning "sign" or "signal," related to the word "buoy.".
Is “beacon” a common word?
“Beacon” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “beacon” have?
“Beacon” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a light, fire, or signal used to guide, warn, or mark a location.
What is the difference between a "beacon" and a "lighthouse"?
A lighthouse is one specific type of beacon: a tall structure with a light used to warn or guide ships near a coastline. "Beacon" is the broader term and can refer to any light, fire, or signal used to guide, warn, or mark a location, including hilltop fires, radio beacons, and warning lights.
How is "beacon" used figuratively, as in "beacon of hope"?
Figuratively, a "beacon" is a person or thing that serves as a guiding example or symbol of hope, such as a "beacon of hope" or "beacon of democracy." This use extends the literal idea of a guiding light to abstract qualities like inspiration or moral example.
Can "beacon" be used as a verb?
Yes, though less commonly than the noun. As a verb, "beacon" means to send out light or a signal, as a beacon does, for example "the tower beaconed across the bay."
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