US /ˈbiːkən/ UK /ˈbiːkən/
noun verb Freq #8505

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    a fire, light, or signal used to warn or guide people

    The beacon on the hill could be seen for miles.

  2. 2
    noun

    someone or something that gives hope, warning, or guidance

    The shelter became a beacon of hope after the storm.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 noun · a fire, light, or signal... signallighthouse
2 noun · someone or something that... guideinspiration
Word family
Derived forms beaconsbeaconedbeaconing
Related forms buoywarning

Etymology

From Middle English beken, from Old English beacn, 'sign, signal'.

View etymology graph ->

Topics

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