beacon: Meaning and Definition of

bea•con

Pronunciation: (bē'kun), [key]
— n.
  1. a guiding or warning signal, as a light or fire, esp. one in an elevated position.
  2. a tower or hill used for such purposes.
  3. a lighthouse, signal buoy, etc., on a shore or at a dangerous area at sea to warn and guide vessels.
    1. Seeradio beacon.
    2. a radar device at a fixed location that, upon receiving a radar pulse, transmits a reply pulse that enables the original sender to determine his or her position relative to the fixed location.
  4. a person, act, or thing that warns or guides.
  5. a person or thing that illuminates or inspires: The Bible has been our beacon during this trouble.
—v.t.
  1. to serve as a beacon to; warn or guide.
  2. to furnish or mark with beacons: a ship assigned to beacon the shoals.
—v.i.
  1. to serve or shine as a beacon: A steady light beaconed from the shore.

Bea•con

Pronunciation: (bē'kun), [key]
— n.
  1. a city in SE New York. 12,937.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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