Bea·con n.
 1. A signal fire to notify of the approach of an enemy, or to give any notice, commonly of warning.
    No flaming beacons cast their blaze afar.   --Gay.
 2. A signal, such as that from a lighthouse, or a conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near the shore, or moored in shoal water, as a guide to mariners.
 3. A high hill near the shore. [Prov. Eng.]
 4. That which gives notice of danger.
 Modest doubt is called
 The beacon of the wise.   --Shak.
 5. Navigation a radio transmitter which emits a characteristic signal indication its location, so that vehicles may determine their exact location by locating the beacon with a radio compass; -- also called {radio beacon}.
 Beacon fire, a signal fire.


 radio beacon
      n 1: a characteristic signal emitted by a transmitter used for
           navigation
      2: a radio station that broadcasts a directional signal for
         navigational purposes [syn: beacon]