radio beacon

noun

: a radio transmitting station that transmits special radio signals for use (as on a landing field) in determining the direction or position of those receiving them

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The Coast Guard’s New Orleans station received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon — or EPIRB — alert shortly before 7:30 a.m. Sunday from a 44-foot recreational boat, the Snail Mail, the authorities said. Warren Kulo | Wkulo@al.com, al, 27 Mar. 2023 An hour into the flight, Maultsby passed a radio beacon at Barter Island on Alaska’s northern coast, his last point of contact for six hours. Guest Blogger, Discover Magazine, 11 Mar. 2013 Schrader used the experience to highlight the importance of safety equipment, like an emergency position indicating radio beacon that allows boaters to contact first responders. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 13 Dec. 2022 The Coast Guard said that because the boat was equipped with an emergency position-indicating radio beacon, crews were able to quickly locate it. Elisha Fieldstadt, NBC News, 27 June 2022 They became stranded with only texting capabilities and an emergency position indicating radio beacon, officials said. Fox News, 11 May 2022 Carry an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), personal locator beacon (PLB) or VHF radio. oregonlive, 29 May 2021 The Coast Guard received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon notification around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday about a vessel in distress. NBC News, 19 Apr. 2021 Aji said no radio beacon signal had been detected from the 26-year-old plane. Niniek Karmini, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Jan. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'radio beacon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of radio beacon was in 1919

Dictionary Entries Near radio beacon

Cite this Entry

“Radio beacon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/radio%20beacon. Accessed 29 May. 2023.

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