HOW TO PRONOUNCE
beacon
/ˈbikən/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:47
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What does beacon mean?
noun
- A signal fire to notify of the approach of an enemy, or to give any notice, commonly of warning.
- A signal, buoy, post, or other conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near the shore, or moored in shoal water, as a guide to mariners, particularly to warn vessels of danger.
- A high hill or other easily distinguishable object near the shore which can serve as guidance for seafarers.
More meanings (11)
noun
- (figuratively) That which gives notice of danger, hope, etc., or keeps people on the correct path; a source of inspiration.
- An electronic device that broadcasts a signal to nearby portable devices, enabling smartphones etc. to perform actions when in physical proximity to the beacon.
- Ellipsis of web beacon.
verb
- To act as a beacon.
- To give light to, as a beacon; to light up; to illumine.
- To furnish with a beacon or beacons.
proper noun
- A town in Western Australia.
- A city and town in Iowa, United States.
- A city in New York, United States.
- A hamlet in Devon, England.
- A surname.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˈbikən/
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
Its lighthouse beacon flared through the mist like a baleful star, and was answered by another in the far horizon.
We will again be the exemplar of freedom and a beacon of hope for those who do not now have freedom.
More book examples (3)
On the hill back of Port Tamar a small beacon had been thrown up, showing that some man had been there.
The matter dropped, and the Laphams lived on as before, with joking recurrences to the house on the water side of Beacon.
Rennie, who, upon landing, were saluted with a display of the colours from the beacon and by three cheers from the workmen.