lighthouse

noun

light·​house ˈlīt-ˌhau̇s 

1

: a structure (such as a tower) with a powerful light that gives a continuous or intermittent signal to navigators

2

: beacon sense 2

Illustration of lighthouse

• lighthouse 1

Examples of lighthouse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Robert Pattinson stars as the novice lighthouse keeper who shows up to replace the last assistant to Willem Dafoe, a man we’re told went mad. —Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 4 Sep. 2024

Musk estimates this strategic lighthouse project could eventually earn Tesla $1 trillion in profits annually. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2024

But these beacons, where lighthouse keepers and their families lived for decades to guide sailors, are popular tourist attractions. —Story Hinckley, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Sep. 2024

Or, catch a great view of the lighthouse from Camp Hero State Park, where the stretch of coastal cliffs embodies the feeling of being at land’s end. —Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

lighthouse

noun

light·​house -ˌhau̇s 

: a tower with a powerful light at the top that is built on or near the shore to guide sailors at night