beacon

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Science

n. a tall object or light near the sea that helps ships find their way or avoid rocks.

n. a conspicuous mark, buoy, or structure erected on a coast or moored in shallow water to guide mariners.

“The ship steered carefully toward the harbour beacon during the storm.”

“The coastal authority installed a new radio beacon to assist vessels navigating the treacherous shoals during heavy fog.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Literary

n. a person or thing that gives people hope or shows them the right way to act.

n. a person, idea, or institution that serves as a source of inspiration or guidance.

“She was a beacon of hope for everyone in the small village.”

“The university has long stood as a beacon of intellectual freedom in a region often troubled by political censorship.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Computing Technical

n. a small electronic device that sends a signal to smartphones nearby.

n. a low-energy Bluetooth device that broadcasts a unique identifier to nearby portable electronic devices.

“The museum uses beacons to send information about the paintings to your phone.”

“Retailers are increasingly deploying beacons to track customer movement and deliver personalised promotional offers directly to mobile applications.”

C2 · Proficiency Literary

v. to shine like a signal light or to provide light for others.

v. to act as a beacon or to illuminate a path as if with a signal light.

“The bright moon beaconed the hikers through the dark forest.”

“The lighthouse beaconed across the dark expanse of the Atlantic, offering a solitary point of reference for the midnight watch.”