beacon
BEE-kun
/ˈbiːkən/
A light or radio signal set up in a prominent position as a warning, signal, or guide; figuratively, a source of hope or inspiration.
Carries strong connotations of hope, guidance, and high visibility across dark or treacherous terrain.
The story behind the word. Long before radio transmitters or electric lamps existed, Anglo-Saxon villagers built high wood fires on hilltop towers called 'beacens.' When invaders approached the coast, the hilltop fires were lit sequentially across the countryside to alert neighboring settlements within minutes. The word has evolved from raw smoke and fire into electronic pulses transmitted to satellites.
Word relationships
- signal: Signal is any gesture or device conveying information, while a beacon specifically acts as a fixed guiding light or pulse.
- lighthouse: A lighthouse is a specific structure housing a beacon, whereas a beacon can be electronic, digital, or a hilltop fire.
- hazard: A hazard lures or poses danger, whereas a beacon guides safely away from danger.
Commonly confused with
- beckon: Beckon is a verb meaning to wave or gesture someone forward, while beacon is a noun referring to a guiding light or signal.
Word family
- beaconed (verb): Guided or fitted with signaling lights.
Collocations
- emergency beacon
- beacon of light
- beacon of hope
- homing beacon
Idioms & expressions
- a beacon in the dark
Example sentences
- "The downed aircraft activated its emergency locator beacon, broadcasting a homing signal across the arctic tundra." Aviation emergency guidance
- "This freedom stands as a beacon of hope to all nations struggling against oppression." Metaphorical usage in speeches
Memory hook
A BEACON shines brightly like a BEAM ON the mountaintop. Guiding light in the dark
When not to use
Do not use for small, ordinary indoor lights or standard flashlight beams.
Fun facts
- Modern personal locator beacons (PLBs) transmit at 406 MHz directly to a satellite network managed by international search and rescue agencies.
Related words
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