beckon

verb beck·on \ ˈbe-kᵊn \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of beckon

beckoned; beckoning

intransitive verb

1 : to summon or signal typically with a wave or nod

My master beckons.

He … beckoned to the other generals to come and stand where he stood.
—H. E. Scudder

2 : to appear inviting : attract

the frontier beckons

transitive verb

: to beckon to

beckoned us over to their table

—

beckon

noun

See beckon defined for English-language learners

See beckon defined for kids

Examples of beckon in a Sentence

She was beckoning them in to shore.
She beckoned the waiter to come over.
She beckoned to the waiter to come over.
From the time he was a child, the wilderness beckoned to him.
The nature preserve beckons bird-watchers, who visit from around the world.

Recent Examples of beckon from the Web

Poppie’s Pond beckoned, and Chaves happily got soaked.

— tod leonard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Mountain West golf title for SDSU's Chaves was long time coming," 7 May 2018
But in some sectors, the rate has become fast and furious as Wisconsin’s unemployment rate hit a record low of 2.9% this year and greener pastures appear to beckon to many.

— john schmid, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Frequent job turnover is becoming the new normal in some sectors in tight labor market," 4 May 2018
Material, meanwhile, beckoned again last year, as the 10-year anniversary of the group's first EP, Tomorrow, approached.

— gary graff, Billboard, "The Material Is Back With 'The One That Got Away': Premiere," 1 May 2018
The club beckons Mike Boddicker, 25, a breaking ball artist, from Triple-A Rochester.

— mike klingaman, baltimoresun.com, "Remembering 1983: A weekly look at the Orioles' third world championship for April 29-May 5," 28 Apr. 2018
Some beckon boys to join them at a small sidewalk café, while others sidle up to youngsters sitting on benches or approach those at the entrance to the subway.

— NBC News, "Young migrants trapped in Greece find that life in West isn't what they hoped for," 15 Apr. 2018
The role beckons any actress with a line in zeal and glow; Uta Hagen, Diana Sands and Lynn Redgrave are among those who’ve snagged it.

— alexis soloski, New York Times, "Joan of Arc, Superstar? Not to the Woman Playing Her," 11 Apr. 2018
With an assist from Wood, Incognito beckons a Bills p.r.

— khadrice rollins, SI.com, "Bills Guard Richie Incognito Announces Retirement On Twitter," 10 Apr. 2018
The professional ranks, remember, is where recruiting roads don’t beckon but salaries do skyrocket, and far beyond the hefty $2.5 million Wright makes annually at Villanova.

— tara sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, "For Villanova’s Jay Wright, there’s a lot to love about college life," 25 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'beckon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of beckon

Middle English beknen, from Old English bīecnan, from bēacen sign — more at beacon

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

beckon Synonyms

Synonyms

flag, gesture, motion, signal, wave;

Related Words

nod;

gesticulate, mime, pantomime, sign;

signalize;

acquaint, advise, inform, relate, tell;

flourish, shrug;

BECKON Defined for English Language Learners

beckon

verb

Definition of beckon for English Language Learners

: to signal (someone) with your arm or hand in order to tell that person to come closer or follow
: to appear attractive or inviting
: to attract (someone or something)