noun
beacon
BEE-kuhn
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."
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."
verb
1
To send out light or a signal, as a beacon does.
"The tower beaconed across the bay every ten seconds."
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
Word Forms
beaconed past tense, beacons singular
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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."