Definition of "beacon"

beacon

/ˈbiːkən/

noun
plural beacons
1. A signal fire to notify of the approach of an enemy, or to give any notice, commonly of warning.
  Quotations
  No flaming beacons cast their blaze afar.
  1713, John Gay, The Rural Sports
2. (nautical) A signal, buoy, post, or other conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near the shore, or moored in shoal water, as a guide to mariners, particularly to warn vessels of danger.
  Quotations
  Henceforth, wherever thou may’st roam,⁠My blessing, like a line of light,⁠Is on the waters day and night,And like a beacon guards thee home.
  1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], canto XVII, page 28
3. A high hill or other easily distinguishable object near the shore which can serve as guidance for seafarers.
4. (figurative) That which gives notice of danger, or keeps people on the correct path.
  Quotations
  Modest doubt is called / The beacon of the wise.
  c. 1602, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act II, scene ii]
5. An electronic device that broadcasts a signal to nearby portable devices, enabling smartphones etc. to perform actions when in physical proximity to the beacon.
6. (Internet) Short for web beacon.
verb
third-person singular simple present beacons, present participle beaconing, simple past and past participle beaconed
1. (intransitive) To act as a beacon.
2. (transitive) To give light to, as a beacon; to light up; to illumine.
  Quotations
  That beacons the darkness of heaven.
  1801, Thomas Campbell, Lochiel's Warning
3. (transitive) To furnish with a beacon or beacons.

Definition of "beacon"

beacon

noun

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

verb

Quotations