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

Not only is the lighthouse a picturesque sight, but the park is the ideal spot for hiking, fishing, and swimming and sunbathing on the sandy beach in summer. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2026

His son, Paris, returns to take his father’s place at the lighthouse. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 2 Mar. 2026

Perhaps to them the lighthouse was a living thing from the past, like a breathing dinosaur communicating in the darkness with other dinosaurs. —Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026

In addition to the view, the museum includes belongings, photos and memories of the lighthouse keepers and their families. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 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