How to pronounce beacon
Say it like BEE-kun. Beacon has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce beacon. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BEE
- kun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Beacon pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of beacon
American and British speakers say beacon in essentially the same way: /ˈbikən/ in the US and /ˈbiːkən/ in the UK.
British respelling: BEE-kun.
What does beacon mean?
- a fire (usually on a hill or tower) that can be seen from a distance
- a radio station that broadcasts a directional signal for navigational purposes
- a tower with a light that gives warning of shoals to passing ships
- shine like a beacon
- guide with a beacon
Where does beacon come from?
Doublet of buoy. Compare West Frisian beaken (“buoy”), Dutch baken (“beacon”), Middle Low German bāke (“beacon, sign”), German Bake (“traffic sign”), Middle High German bouchen (“sign”).
Words that rhyme with beacon
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of beacon.
Questions about saying beacon
How do you pronounce beacon?
Say BEE-kun. The American pronunciation is /ˈbikən/. In British English it is /ˈbiːkən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in beacon?
Beacon has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BEE). Broken into parts: BEE · kun.
Do Americans and Brits say beacon the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbikən/ and the British form is /ˈbiːkən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.