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
Naturally, as Market attendees gathered for the Theodore Alexander anniversary party on October 16, the mammoth Pentreath chair served as the entrance’s red-carpet beacon. — The Editors Of Ad, Architectural Digest, 28 Oct. 2026 At that spot is a yellow pedestrian crossing sign — but no beacon, crosswalk or other road markings to help pedestrians safely cross. — Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
In its early years, it was located smack in the middle of the grounds, a beaconing festival-goers with beats, cirque performances and the all-important misters. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2024 Growing underground with their luminous flowers beaconing through the soil, around 90 species of Thismia have been discovered. — Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 27 Feb. 2023 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
  • Silicon photonics Silicon photonics integrates optical components onto semiconductor platforms to transmit information using light.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Wipe down doorknobs, light switches and countertops daily, and again after guests come through, according to the CDC.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 6 Nov. 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
  • His paintings sell for millions at auction but Nara's most important fans might be the ones displaying his ashtrays, lamps, and snowglobes.
    — Julie Brener Davich, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Each guest room has its own personality, outfitted with original artwork and vintage furniture (made modern with touches like Bellino Italian bedding and chrome desk lamps).
    — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of lamp
Verb
  • Small openings in the original woodwork allow lighting to illuminate the products without compromising the historic structure.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Dedicated reading lights, meanwhile, work with ambient lighting to ensure the tent is fully illuminated after sunset.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of illuminate
Noun
  • The interior is designed to match, and far from recycling bright, beachy tropes, instead opts for subtler period antiques, oversized tubs, dark wood floors, and brass lighting fixtures.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
  • String lights, solar lanterns, warm-toned bulbs and candle lanterns handle the lighting.
    — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of lighting
Noun
  • The candle, one of six offered by Xinú in addition to its range of eaux de parfum and body care products, is infused with notes of lime, cedarwood, tuberose and moss.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The team also performed another experiment to detect candle smoke in air.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of candle

Browse Nearby Words

beachside
beacon
beaconed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about beacon

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