beacon
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a bright light or fire used as a signal to guide people or warn them about danger.
n.a signal fire or light, typically placed on a high point, used to warn of approaching danger or to guide travellers.
Simple“The rescue team saw the beacon fire on the mountain and knew where to land.”
In context“Historically, a chain of beacons was established across the hills to provide an early warning system against invading forces.”
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“The ship steered carefully toward the harbour beacon during the storm.”
In context“The coastal authority installed a new radio beacon to assist vessels navigating the treacherous shoals during heavy fog.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“She was a beacon of hope for everyone in the small village.”
In context“The university has long stood as a beacon of intellectual freedom in a region often troubled by political censorship.”
Synonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
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.
Simple“The museum uses beacons to send information about the paintings to your phone.”
In context“Retailers are increasingly deploying beacons to track customer movement and deliver personalised promotional offers directly to mobile applications.”
Synonyms - 05 C2 Proficiency
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.
Simple“The bright moon beaconed the hikers through the dark forest.”
In context“The lighthouse beaconed across the dark expanse of the Atlantic, offering a solitary point of reference for the midnight watch.”
Synonyms
“Now, as Toronto deals with its own issues around public drug use, Sim is warning that his city is not the beacon to follow.”
“I wanted to make something that was a beacon that could shed light into a possible future.” So what is this possible future?”
From Middle English beken, from Old English bēacn (“sign, signal”), from Proto-West Germanic baukn, from Proto-Germanic baukną, from Proto-Indo-European bʰeh₂u-, bʰeh₂- (“to shine”). Doublet of buoy. Compare West Frisian beaken (“buoy”), Dutch baken (“beacon”), Middle Low German bāke (“beacon, sign”), German Bake (“traffic sign”), Middle High German bouchen (“sign”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.