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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
Others use trees almost like beacons to guide them into a field. — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026 After the end of the fest, the Smith Rafael Film Center continues to be a beacon for indie films and often features Q&As with filmmakers. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 4 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
  • At night this is lit by strung lights and lanterns, perfect for an al fresco dip above the urban buzz, while inside lamps cast a soft glow, and thick Roman blinds and bedroom curtains block out all light.
    — Adrienne Wyper, TheWeek, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Mexican design studio Natural Urbano has meanwhile incorporated Celium Manto into its made-to-order Cenit pendant and table lamps, pairing it with natural ash and stainless steel.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of lamp
Verb
  • The Pitt follows a group of doctors in a teaching hospital’s emergency room, and each episode roughly tracks one hour of their shift, all while illuminating the American healthcare system’s shortfalls.
    — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026
  • As news of Mackie’s death spread, friends and fans are remembering a kindhearted and joyful man whose designs illuminated some of the world’s biggest stars on both stage and screen.
    — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of illuminate
Noun
  • At the beginning of the twentieth century, oil markets were threatened by the transition away from kerosene and gas lighting towards electric light.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
  • On the city’s end, officials promised improved lighting in that area and also positioned surveillance cameras at the intersection of 20th and L Streets.
    — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of lighting
Noun
  • Her representatives asked her fans to light a candle in her honor and to donate to her charity, Gloria’s Foundation.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Her representatives asked her fans to light a candle in her honor and for donations to be made to her charity, Gloria’s Foundation.
    — Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 3 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 19 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on beacon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about beacon

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