beacon (redirected from beacons)

Beacon, city (1990 pop. 13,243), Dutchess co., SE N.Y., on the E bank of the Hudson River; settled 1663, inc. in 1913 when Fishkill Landing and Matteawan villages were united. Beacon's textile, printing, and other industries have declined, but the opening of Dia:Beacon, the world's largest museum of contemporary art, has stimulated a revival of the city. The Newburgh-Beacon Bridge connects the city with Newburgh on the west bank. An incline railway ascends Mt. Beacon, site of a monument to Revolutionary soldiers who built signal fires to warn of the coming of the British.

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beacon

See beaconing.

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beacon

1. a hill on which such fires were lit

2. a lighthouse, signalling buoy, etc., used to warn or guide ships in dangerous waters

3. a radio or other signal marking a flight course in air navigation

4. short for Belisha beacon

5. a stone set by a surveyor to mark a corner or line of a site boundary, etc.

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beacon [′bē·kən]

(navigation)

A light, group of lights, electronic apparatus, or other device which emits identifying signals related to their positions so that the information so produced can be used by the navigator or pilots of aircraft and ships for guidance orientation or warning.

A structure where such a device is mounted or located.