lighthouse

noun

light·​house ˈlīt-ˌhau̇s 

1

: a structure (such as a tower) with a powerful light that gives a continuous or intermittent signal to navigators

2

: beacon sense 2

Illustration of lighthouse

• lighthouse 1

Examples of lighthouse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Options range from lobster-fishing excursions and lighthouse cruises to whale- and puffin-watching tours. — Morgan Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026

Irving’s lighthouse, built for the 1893 World’s Fair, was salt crusted, wind battered, and timeworn, at once a shithole and a feat of civil engineering. — Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

Be sure to rent a bike in town and ride out to North Light, one of the island’s historic lighthouses. — Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026

Finally came the tattoos — people proudly displaying body art of the Sea Hag, the town’s lighthouse, the eccentric lighthouse keeper Garrett, Patricia dancing. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lighthouse

• alehouse
• almshouse
• backhouse
• baghouse
• bakehouse
• bathhouse
• bauhaus
• blockhouse
• boathouse
• brewhouse
• bunkhouse
• clubhouse

Kids Definition

lighthouse

noun

light·​house -ˌhau̇s 

: a tower with a powerful light at the top that is built on or near the shore to guide sailors at night