beacon

1. (nautical) A signal, buoy, post, or other conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near the shore, or moored in shoal water, as a guide to mariners, particularly to warn vessels of danger.Examples: "Henceforth, wherever thou may’st roam, / ⁠My blessing, like a line of light, / ⁠Is on the waters day and night, / And like a beacon guards thee home."

2. (figurative) That which gives notice of danger, hope, etc., or keeps people on the correct path; a source of inspiration.Examples: "a beacon of hope"; "Modest doubt is called / The beacon of the wise."; "Latin America’s largest economy, with a population of more than 200 million people, is a beacon for China’s delivery and ride-hailing companies looking to export their ruthlessly low-cost business models."figuratively

3. (Internet) Ellipsis of web beacon.Internetabbreviationalt-ofellipsis