beckon
verb (used with or without object)
to signal, summon, or direct by a gesture of the head or hand.
had beckoned
-
past perfectof beckon.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Christmas holiday had beckoned as a year-end redemption, but it is now at risk of being spoiled by a double-whammy of the cost-of-living crisis and railway strikes, which have led to canceled holiday-party bookings.
From New York Times ● Dec. 23, 2022
The driver, a passing stranger, had beckoned the frightened Karon into his car, trying to rescue the youngster from McClam and others who had been chasing him, prosecutors said.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 12, 2022
All his life the water at forest’s edge had beckoned him to a journey, a journey he did not take until he was no longer a monkey but only a monkey’s corpse.
From The New Yorker ● Jan. 15, 2017
I started surfing only recently—just six years ago—but the sport had beckoned for a long time.
From Slate ● Feb. 15, 2016
The emissary had beckoned the man and was showing him the scroll.
From "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park
