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
But that beacon became a target in late June and the South Bushwick community is left heartbroken. — Allen Devlin, CBS News, 14 July 2026 Reportedly, the issue was solved with the use of a Beidou satellite locator beacon and a flight data recorder. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 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
  • As totality nears, the light around you changes timbre, shadows sharpen, birds stop chirping and crickets start singing as if night is falling.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 17 July 2026
  • Quantum communication uses photons, the particles of light, to carry quantum information.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 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
  • This cordless lamp comes in four warm neutrals, and all feature a ceramic shade that flops over its base like pastry dough.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 15 July 2026
  • Most of those cases involve cooking equipment, fireplaces and chimneys, space heaters, lamps, bulbs, wiring and candles.
    — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 15 July 2026
Definition of lamp
Verb
  • Think of this as a mini-art gallery where illuminated dioramas spring to life and transform before us.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
  • Adding dyes and microparticles to the water and illuminating them with lasers helped capture the flows on high-speed video.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026
Definition of illuminate
Noun
  • Consider Updating Your Plumbing Just like with lighting, switches, and outlets, many kitchen renovators plan on adding or moving plumbing lines for appliances, pot fillers, and more.
    — Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 18 July 2026
  • Fort Worth established a special tax district to improve sidewalks, lighting, public parks, and other public infrastructure in the area, Welch said.
    — Emily Holshouser July 18, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2026
Definition of lighting
Noun
  • Swap a mess of tiny tea candles for a larger scented candle styled on a tray with a pair of decorative matches.
    — Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 18 July 2026
  • Her spot at the support group, which now lights a blue candle with her name etched onto it before every meeting.
    — Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 18 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 21 Jul. 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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