beckon

verb

beck·​on ˈbe-kᵊn How to pronounce beckon (audio)
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

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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Months before the first snow beckons skiers, sheep and goats are hitting the slopes in Vermont. Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025 Extra time beckoned, penalties loomed, but up popped Brazilian winger Jaja to lob in a dramatic equaliser on the night and winner in the tie. Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025 The result is the original version of the book that brought Ji-yeon through time, beckoned by the message Heon penned at the end of it, asking his love to return to him. Kayti Burt, Time, 29 Sep. 2025 From there, continue along Main Street, where antique shops like Cold Spring Antiques Center and Once Upon a Time Antiques beckon treasure hunters. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beckon

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bekenen, bikenen, becknien, becknyn, going back to Old English bēcnan, bīcnan, bīcnian, bēacnian "to make a mute gesture to, summon, symbolize, portend, reveal," going back to West Germanic *bauhnjan- or *bauhnōjan- (whence also Old Saxon bōknian "to portend, give as a token," Old High German bouhhanen, bouhnen "to give a sign or token, signify"), weak verb derivatives of *baukn- "sign, signal" — more at beacon entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of beckon was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beckon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beckon. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

beckon

verb
beck·​on ˈbek-ən How to pronounce beckon (audio)
beckoned; beckoning
ˈbek- (ə-)niŋ
1
: to call or signal to a person usually by a wave or nod
they beckoned us to come over
2
: to appear inviting
new adventures were beckoning

More from Merriam-Webster on beckon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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