/ ˈbiːkən; NAmE / noun
1.
a light that is placed somewhere to guide vehicles and warn them of danger :
a navigation beacon
( figurative )
He was a beacon of hope for the younger generation.
—see also Belisha beacon
2.
a radio station whose signal helps ships and aircraft to find their position
3.
(in the past) a fire lit on top of a hill as a signal
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English bēacn sign, portent, ensign , of West Germanic origin; related to beckon .