Pharos

[ fair-os ]

noun

1. a small peninsula in northern Egypt, near Alexandria: site of ancient lighthouse built by Ptolemy.
2. the lighthouse on this peninsula. Compare Seven Wonders of the World.
3. (lowercase) any lighthouse or beacon to direct sailors.

Pharos

/ ˈfɛərɒs /

noun

1. a large Hellenistic lighthouse built on an island off Alexandria in Egypt in about 280 bc and destroyed by an earthquake in the 14th century: usually included among the Seven Wonders of the World

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pharos¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin Pharos, Pharus, from Greek Pháros, the name of an island (now a peninsula) lying off Alexandria; the name of the lighthouse at the eastern end of the island; a lighthouse

Example Sentences

Even when the Pharos was reared, the primitive mode of illumination by means of wood or coal was employed.

From Project Gutenberg

He stood like a Pharos, and the light of his face kindled the crests of the living waves around him.

From Project Gutenberg

Proteus is called the Carpathian wizard because his cave was on the island of Pharos, or Carpathos.

From Project Gutenberg

The same year, the island of Pharos itself, originally seven furlongs distant from the continent, was joined to it by a causeway.

From Project Gutenberg

A handsome cutter, called ‘The Pharos,’ is stationed here as a tender to the lighthouse.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• flare
• lantern
• radar