a light that is placed somewhere to guide vehicles and warn them of danger （指引车船等的）灯标，灯塔，立标 a radio station whose signal helps ships and aircraft to find their position （导航）无线电信标台 The plane was guided in by radio beacon. 飞机由无线电信标引导进入。
(in the past) a fire lit on top of a hill as a signal （旧时）烽火
Word OriginOld English bēacn ‘sign, portent, ensign’, of West Germanic origin; related to beckon.