beckons; beckoned; beckoning
1
: to signal (someone) with your arm or hand in order to tell that person to come closer or follow
She was beckoning them in to shore.
He beckoned them over (to where he was).
She beckoned the waiter to come over.
She beckoned to the waiter to come over.
2
a
: to appear attractive or inviting
From the time he was a child, the wilderness beckoned to him.
New adventures were beckoning.
a beckoning smile
b
: to attract (someone or something)
The nature preserve beckons bird-watchers, who visit from around the world.
Cite this Entry
“Beckon.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/beckon. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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