# beacon

/ˈbikən/ (US) · /bˈiːkən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/beacon
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a signal light

noun · CEFR B2

a bright light or fire used as a signal to guide people or warn them about danger.

For teachers: a signal fire or light, typically placed on a high point, used to warn of approaching danger or to guide travellers.

- The rescue team saw the beacon fire on the mountain and knew where to land.
- Historically, a chain of beacons was established across the hills to provide an early warning system against invading forces.

### 2. nautical marker

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. source of inspiration

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. digital signal

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. to shine or guide

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The lighthouse acts as a beacon for ships at sea.
- The rescue team followed the emergency beacon to find the hikers lost in the dense fog.
- In a time of political instability, the small library remained a beacon of knowledge and free speech for the entire community.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.