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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
After crash landing on the dark world directly onto the homing beacon, EO and his crazy crew are apprehended by a gang of warrior henchmen and hauled into the throne room to face the wicked alien ruler who is imprisoned in anger and hate. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026 For decades, the Twin Towers served as a beacon visible from miles away. — Thomas E. Franklin, USA Today, 11 Sep. 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
  • The mermaid headboard was also created by Friday, who strung the fish-string lights too.
    — Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Thousands had come to watch that night and marvel at the temporary lights illuminating the field.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 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
  • Coover rested an elbow on the bar and crossed one cowboy boot over the other, his fist-size belt buckle shining under the Tiffany lamps and copper ceilings.
    — Kyle Paoletta, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The lamp is a vintage Serge Mouille piece from Atwood’s collection.
    — Matt Goulet, Architectural Digest, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of lamp
Verb
  • When illuminated with green laser light, the NV center emits red light.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The store’s signature illuminated pink sign became the biggest sticking point.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of illuminate
Noun
  • On the otherwise attractive exterior, the clarity of incised inscriptions in the limestone varies considerably under different lighting conditions and can be too subtle.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Knockoff Furniture and Lighting Finally, Jones encourages homeowners to skip the knockoff furniture or lighting.
    — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of lighting
Noun
  • Each house holds a standard taper candle and features ornate facades, tiny windows, and rooftops covered in the brand’s signature black-and-white checks.
    — Sarah Scott, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2026
  • In the mix are her favorite glass hurricane candle holders and linen lumbar pillows in a hard-to-find size.
    — Ingrid Schmidt, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 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 26 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on beacon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about beacon

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