Beacon

Beacon is a light or fire set up in a high or prominent position as a signal, such as at sea. Places suitable for beacons are sometimes named as such, for example, Ivinghoe Beacon. The word is sometimes figuratively used, such as 'a beacon of hope'. A radio signal transmitter on a ship, aircraft, or spacecraft, is also called beacon, because the signal transmitted from the instrument helps in fixing their position.