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Webster 1913 Edition

Beacon

Bea′con

(bē′k’n)
,
Noun.
[OE.
bekene
, AS.
beácen
,
bēcen
; akin to OS.
bōkan
, Fries.
baken
,
beken
, sign, signal, D.
baak
, OHG.
bouhhan
, G.
bake
; of unknown origin. Cf.
Beckon
.]
1.
A signal fire to notify of the approach of an enemy, or to give any notice, commonly of warning.
No flaming
beacons
cast their blaze afar.
Gay.
2.
A signal, such as that from a lighthouse, or a conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near the shore, or moored in shoal water, as a guide to mariners.
3.
A high hill near the shore.
[Prov. Eng.]
4.
That which gives notice of danger.
Modest doubt is called
The
beacon
of the wise.
Shakespeare
5.
(Navigation)
a radio transmitter which emits a characteristic signal indication its location, so that vehicles may determine their exact location by locating the beacon with a radio compass; – also called
radio beacon
.
Beacon fire
,
a signal fire.

Bea′con

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Beaconed
(bē′k’nd)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Beaconing
.]
1.
To give light to, as a beacon; to light up; to illumine.
That
beacons
the darkness of heaven.
Campbell.
2.
To furnish with a beacon or beacons.

Webster 1828 Edition

Beacon

BE'ACON

,
Noun.
beekn.
1.
A signal erected on a long pole, upon an eminence, consisting of a pitch barrel, or some combustible matter, to be fired at night, or to cause a smoke by day, to notify the approach of an enemy.
2.
A light-house; a house erected on a point on land, or other place on the sea-coast, with lamps which burn at night, to direct navigators, and preserve vessels from running upon rocks, sand banks, or the shore. In general, a beacon may be any light or mark intended for direction and security against danger.
3. Figuratively, that which gives notice of danger.

Definition 2024

Beacon

Beacon

See also: beacon

English

Proper noun

Beacon

  1. A town in Western Australia.
  2. A city/town in Iowa, US.
  3. A city in New York, US.
  4. A surname​.

beacon

beacon

See also: Beacon

English

Noun

beacon ‎(plural beacons)

  1. A signal fire to notify of the approach of an enemy, or to give any notice, commonly of warning.
    • Gay
      No flaming beacons cast their blaze afar.
  2. (nautical) A signal or conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near the shore, or moored in shoal water, as a guide to mariners.
    1. A post or buoy placed over a shoal or bank to warn vessels of danger; also a signal mark on land. (FM 55-501)
  3. A high hill or other easily distinguishable object near the shore which can serve as guidance for seafarers.
  4. (figuratively) That which gives notice of danger.
    • Shakespeare
      Modest doubt is called / The beacon of the wise.
  5. An electronic device that broadcasts a signal to nearby portable devices, enabling smartphones etc. to perform actions when in physical proximity to the beacon.

Translations

Derived terms

See also

Verb

beacon ‎(third-person singular simple present beacons, present participle beaconing, simple past and past participle beaconed)

  1. To act as a beacon.
  2. To give light to, as a beacon; to light up; to illumine.
    That beacons the darkness of heaven. — Campbell.
  3. To furnish with a beacon or beacons.

Related terms

Etymology

From Middle English beken, from Old English bēacen ‎(“sign, signal”), from Proto-Germanic *baukną (compare West Frisian beaken ‎(“buoy”), Dutch baken ‎(“beacon”), German Bake ‎(“traffic sign”), Middle High German bouchen ‎(“sign”)), perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂u-, *bʰeh₂- ‎(“to shine”). More at fantasy.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈbiːkən/
  • Rhymes: -iːkən

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