beacon
/ˈbiːkən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbiːkən/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbē-kən/ (ame, mw)
beacon — noun
1. a bright light or a controlled fire put in a high, open spot — for example a hil
a bright light or a controlled fire put in a high, open spot — for example a hilltop, a clifftop, or a tall pole — so people far away can see it and know there is danger or a message to read.
Sailors near the rocks watched for the beacon flashing on the cliff above the harbour.
physical signal warning of danger
Villagers lit a beacon on the hilltop to warn nearby towns that enemy ships had arrived.
historical use: lit a beacon on
A small beacon on the runway helped the pilot find the airport during the heavy snow.
From the boat, Eitan could see two beacons blinking in turn along the rocky coast.
The old stone tower still holds the beacon that once guided fishing boats home each night.
- signal fire
older or historical phrasing for the same idea
- lighthouse
specifically a tall tower by the sea, while 'beacon' is broader
- warning light
neutral term, often electric and small, less dramatic in scale
用法筆記
Often appears with verbs of lighting and seeing: 'light a beacon', 'see a beacon', 'a beacon flashes'. The location is usually named with 'on' (on a hill, on a tower, on the cliff).
常見錯誤
2. a small machine that sends out radio waves so pilots, sailors, or rescue teams c
a small machine that sends out radio waves so pilots, sailors, or rescue teams can work out exactly where the ship, plane, or person carrying it is.
After the crash, the plane's emergency beacon helped rescuers find Fadi within four hours.
emergency beacon for locating people
Every climber on the team carries a small beacon clipped to the strap of their backpack.
personal locator beacon worn on body
The fishing boat's beacon kept sending a steady signal long after the storm sank her.
Coast guard officers tracked the lost yacht through the beacon fixed near its mast.
- transponder
more technical; replies to a query rather than broadcasting alone
- transmitter
broader term for any device that sends radio waves
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this beacon is electronic and small, often invisible from a distance, while sense 1 is a visible light or fire. Common compounds: 'emergency beacon', 'locator beacon', 'radio beacon'.
常見錯誤
3. a person, place, or idea that other people look toward when they feel lost, beca
a person, place, or idea that other people look toward when they feel lost, because it shows them that something good — like hope, freedom, or kindness — is still possible.
During the long war, the small library stayed open and became a beacon of hope for the city.
beacon of + abstract noun (hope)
Her grandmother was a beacon of kindness to every neighbour on the street.
person as beacon of + virtue
For young writers in the country, that magazine had long served as a beacon of free thought.
The new clinic became a beacon for families who could not afford private doctors.
- inspiration
more general; lacks the 'guiding light from afar' image
- guiding light
very close in meaning, slightly more poetic
- role model
only for people, and more about behaviour than hope
文法句型
a beacon of N
用法筆記
Almost always in the pattern 'a beacon of [abstract noun]' (hope, freedom, light, kindness) or 'a beacon for [group]'. Strong positive feeling — do not use for neutral or bad examples.
常見錯誤
beacon — verb
1. to glow strongly from a high or open spot so the light can be seen from far away
to glow strongly from a high or open spot so the light can be seen from far away, the way an old hilltop fire would.
The lighthouse beaconed across the dark bay all night, calming the worried fishermen at sea.
intransitive: subject + beaconed across
On clear evenings, the windows of the old hotel beaconed warmly down the valley.
literary register, light source as subject
A single torch beaconed from the watchtower, telling the village that riders had been seen.
A bright lamp beaconed from the harbour wall, leading the late fishing boats safely home.
用法筆記
Almost only used in literary or poetic writing. Subjects are sources of light (a lamp, a star, a fire). In everyday English, prefer 'shine' or 'glow'.
常見錯誤
2. to lead or call someone toward a place by showing them a clear light or a strong
to lead or call someone toward a place by showing them a clear light or a strong example, usually when they feel lost.
A row of small lamps beaconed the tired hikers safely back to the cabin.
beacon + object + back to place
The bright kitchen window beaconed Greta home through the thick winter fog.
transitive: beacon + person + home
Dr. Anaya's steady work in the village clinic beaconed other young doctors toward rural medicine.
Old stone towers along the coast once beaconed ships into the narrow harbour.
文法句型
beacon someone home/in/back
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb sense 1: that one is intransitive (only the light shines), while this one takes a person, ship, or group as object and adds a direction (home, back, in, toward). Both are literary.