lighthouse

noun

light·​house ˈlīt-ˌhau̇s How to pronounce lighthouse (audio)
Synonyms of lighthousenext
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

Illustration of lighthouse
  • lighthouse 1

Examples of lighthouse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Better yet, take a coastal cruise with Cape Ann Harbor Tours, which sails past six regional lighthouses. — Nicholas Derenzo, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026 This coastal town, just south of the Oregon border, sits near lush redwood forests and boasts an 1856 lighthouse. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 Originally built for lighthouse work, she’s been transformed into a compact Arctic vessel with an ice-class hull, comfortable cabins, multiple observation areas and the character of a working ship. — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Illustration by Patricia Bolaños Perhaps the oldest of these is Frying Pan, a cherry-red, hundred-and-thirty-foot vessel that the Coast Guard used, from 1930 to 1965, as a floating lighthouse. — Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lighthouse

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lighthouse was in 1606

Rhymes for lighthouse

See All Rhymes for lighthouse

Browse Nearby Words

light-hour
lighthouse
lighthouse keeper
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lighthouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lighthouse. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lighthouse

noun
light·​house -ˌhau̇s How to pronounce lighthouse (audio)
: a tower with a powerful light at the top that is built on or near the shore to guide sailors at night

More from Merriam-Webster on lighthouse

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lighthouse

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lighthouse

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