beckon

verb

beck·​on ˈbe-kᵊn How to pronounce beckon (audio)
beckoned; beckoning
Synonyms of beckon

intransitive verb

1
: to summon or signal typically with a wave or nod
My master beckons.
He … beckoned to the other generals to come and stand where he stood.—H. E. Scudder
2
: to appear inviting : attract
the frontier beckons

transitive verb

: to beckon to
beckoned us over to their table
beckon noun

Synonyms of beckon

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Examples of beckon in a Sentence

She was beckoning them in to shore. She beckoned the waiter to come over. She beckoned to the waiter to come over. From the time he was a child, the wilderness beckoned to him. The nature preserve beckons bird-watchers, who visit from around the world.
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.
The same play-offs that had proved to be the graveyard of York’s promotion hopes at the semi-final stage 12 months earlier beckoned. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 Royce powered his way through an avalanche powerslam as fans cheered and beckoned for LA Knight. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 All day long, my feed serves up a parade of pretty platforms and squishy sandals, beckoning me to part with my savings. — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 31 July 2026 The on-air personalities host several music, story, and alternative channels, offering an effervescent personality and deep musical knowledge that beckon you to return. — Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for beckon

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bekenen, bikenen, becknien, becknyn, going back to Old English bēcnan, bīcnan, bīcnian, bēacnian "to make a mute gesture to, summon, symbolize, portend, reveal," going back to West Germanic *bauhnjan- or *bauhnōjan- (whence also Old Saxon bōknian "to portend, give as a token," Old High German bouhhanen, bouhnen "to give a sign or token, signify"), weak verb derivatives of *baukn- "sign, signal" — more at beacon entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of beckon was before the 12th century

Rhymes for beckon

See All Rhymes for beckon

Browse Nearby Words

Beckmesser
beckon
beckoning
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Cite this Entry

“Beckon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beckon. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

beckon

verb
beck·​on ˈbek-ən How to pronounce beckon (audio)
beckoned; beckoning
ˈbek- (ə-)niŋ
1
: to call or signal to a person usually by a wave or nod
they beckoned us to come over
2
: to appear inviting
new adventures were beckoning

More from Merriam-Webster on beckon

Nglish: Translation of beckon for Spanish Speakers

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