beacon 1 of 2

noun

ˈbē-kən How to pronounce beacon (audio)
Definition of beaconnext
as in light
something that provides illumination the floodlit skyscraper is one of the city's most beloved nighttime beacons

Synonyms & Similar Words

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beacon

2 of 2

verb

as in to illumine
to supply with light a lone lighthouse beacons the entrance to the island's only harbor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of beacon
Noun
As a co-founder of the Black Flame Collective, Calderon hopes to create a beacon of representation. — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 24 July 2026 Many older, unprepared satellites have no docking plate, beacon or navigation marker. — Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba, The Conversation, 22 July 2026
Verb
Growing underground with their luminous flowers beaconing through the soil, around 90 species of Thismia have been discovered. — Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 27 Feb. 2023 In the meantime, January will beacon you into hermit mode, especially at the top of the month due to the Cancer full moon on Friday, January 6. — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Dec. 2022 See All Example Sentences for beacon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beacon
  1. light
  2. illumine
  3. lamp
  4. illuminate
  5. lighting
  6. candle
Noun
  • Solar eclipse watchers have for centuries vividly described an eerie phenomenon known as shadow bands that appears just before and after totality — the period when the moon completely blocks the sun’s light and the sky goes dark.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Insider tip Follow the paths through the lavender fields at sunset, when the bees begin to settle and the fields catch the last of the ethereal light.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of light
Verb
  • Fantastic, illumined by periodic excursions into surrealism, as when the crew of a mysterious UFO boards a transpacific Kahuna Airlines jet midflight.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Geraldine walked over to Felix and Jane’s for fish soup, through long autumn shadows in the park, haze rising like smoke from the grass, illumined by the low sun.
    — Tessa Hadley, New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2026
Definition of illumine
Noun
  • Original art deco lamps adorn the indoor movie theater, which also has sconces from the Empire State Building, according to House Beautiful.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The malfunction may prevent affected vehicles from meeting federal safety standards, as turn signals, hazard lamps and warning chimes could be disabled, Toyota said, adding the risk of injury or a crash increases depending on the defect’s scale.
    — Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of lamp
Verb
  • The conversation is illuminating for what goes unspoken with both boys refusing to acknowledge whatever is going on between them.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The venue’s interior is dark and opulent, with details in black, gold, and emerald green illuminated by mirrors and crystal chandeliers.
    — Amy Bradford, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of illuminate
Noun
  • Hürrem’s marble, lighting, architecture and historical narrative serves as more than design.
    — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • With better lighting, and a home that did not fill up with mud and water during every monsoon, her children began to perform well in school.
    — Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of lighting
Noun
  • Muluk Spa is relatively compact with serene treatment rooms illuminated by flickering candle-like lights.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026
  • It was supposed to be a fun day of candle-making for group members like Grace Indiano.
    — Olivia Young, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of candle

Browse Nearby Words

beachside
beacon
beaconed
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Cite this Entry

“Beacon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beacon. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on beacon

Nglish: Translation of beacon for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about beacon

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