[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/beacon/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [B](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/b/) / beacon # beacon noun (a beacon, beacons) «beacon» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. A beacon is a light or fire on a hill, tower or coast that warns people or guides them, like a lighthouse light. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beacon/#m1) 2. A beacon is a device that sends out a radio signal to show where something or someone is, for example on a boat or for hikers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beacon/#m2) 3. A beacon of something (hope, light) is a person or thing that gives others hope or shows the way. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beacon/#m3) ### In the lessons In history lessons beacon fires on hilltops passed warnings across the country, for example when the Spanish Armada came to England. In safety lessons, emergency beacons (PLBs) help rescuers find lost walkers and sailors. In the UK, «Belisha beacons» are the flashing orange lights at zebra crossings. Phrases: «a beacon of hope», «emergency beacon», «light a beacon». ### Examples - The lighthouse beacon flashed all night. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beacon/#x1) - People lit beacons on the hills to warn of danger. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beacon/#x2) - The hikers carried an emergency beacon. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beacon/#x3) - The rescue team followed the signal from the beacon. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beacon/#x4) - A Belisha beacon flashes at a zebra crossing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beacon/#x5) - Her kindness was a beacon of hope in hard times. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beacon/#x6) - The ship's beacon showed where it had sunk. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beacon/#x7) - Plane pilots use radio beacons to find their way. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beacon/#x8) - I got a light, and in a few moments the red flames leaped up as a beacon to them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beacon/#x9) ### Note Countable: a beacon. Say «BEE-kun». A lighthouse is a building; its light is a beacon. Do not confuse with «bacon». ## In Jewish tradition It is a signal fire or smoke set up as a sign, or a pole on a hilltop that stands alone. It was used in war to give a signal to troops. **Interpretation.** In Isaiah, the lone beacon on a mountain pictures what is left of Israel after judgment. The rabbis read it as a few survivors who are still a sign to the world. ### Examples - Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers-in-wait, that they should make a great beacon of smoke rise up out of the city. — (Prophets JDG.20.38, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/beacon/#x1) - But when the beacon began to arise up out of the city in a pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the whole of the city went up in smoke to heaven. (Prophets JDG.20.40, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/beacon/#x2) - One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one, at the rebuke of five shall ye flee; till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on a hill. (Prophets ISA.30.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/beacon/#x3) ### Note Countable: a beacon. Say «BEE-kun». A lighthouse is a building; its light is a beacon. Do not confuse with «bacon». ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «beacon» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/beacon/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«beacon» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/beacon.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «beacon» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/beacon/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«beacon» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/beacon.html) on Mova free.