lighthouse
Americannoun
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lighthouses
plural
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a tower or other structure displaying or flashing a very bright light for the guidance of ships in avoiding dangerous areas, in following certain routes, etc.
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either of two cylindrical metal towers placed forward on the forecastle of the main deck of a sailing ship, to house the port and starboard running lights.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of lighthouse
Explanation
A lighthouse is a building with a warning light that helps boats to navigate safely, especially when it's dark or foggy. Maine is famous for its many lighthouses. Most lighthouses consist of a narrow tower, with a rotating or flashing light at the top, located near the coast. Before the invention of the lighthouse, fires were lit on hillsides to help captains guide their ships, and after permanent ports were built in coastal areas, permanent lighthouses were constructed. These warned sailors of obstacles at sea, rocky coastlines, and harbor entrances — and their designs grew more complex through the 18th century.
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.
See Examples For:
Bill Green offered to take me out on his boat and show me a cool lighthouse.
From Slate ● Jun. 16, 2026
As they passed the little red lighthouse under the George Washington Bridge, Barouch proposed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 2026
The 2025/26 away kit, manufactured by sportswear firm Hummel, features a repeating geometric pattern showing the lighthouse, viewed through a circular design resembling the sculpture's aperture.
From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2026
His father was a lighthouse keeper, living in solitude on the Greek island of Kandelioussa for 16 years before entering a family-arranged marriage with his mother.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2026
It’s my lighthouse, guiding me through the storms.
From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman
"After many years, I found myself navigating manually again, searching for lighthouses to make sure we stayed on course," Islam said.
From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026
The retired river-fleet captain joined the class about a year ago and says he likes making miniature lighthouses because they remind him of his former life on the river.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 29, 2025
Tyler Finkle, a structural engineer who has restored offshore lighthouses across the country, said that while restoration seems “like a herculean task,” it is doable.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2025
By the late 1890s, they were making "lamps for lighthouses" and specialised in aluminium.
From BBC ● Nov. 30, 2024
When we said we didn’t know them, Dad questioned Tom Grieves, who admitted readily enough that he had been showing tourists through the house and lighthouses, while we were at the beach.
From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
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