beckoned; beckoning
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
H. E. Scudder2
: to appear inviting : attract
the frontier beckons
: to beckon to
beckoned us over to their table
beckon
noun
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
California’s scenery, climate, and natural resources have beckoned since well before the Gold Rush of the mid-1850s.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2025
Europe beckoned, and Portugal quickly drew their interest with its mixture of relative affordability, inviting culture and travel convenience.
—William P. Barrett, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Northern Michigan's Cadillac beckons visitors with its quaint small-town living on Lake Cadillac and the surrounding great outdoors.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 19 July 2025
Potlatch isn’t within walking distance of much, although the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve beckoned a block away.
—Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for beckon
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Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2025
Europe beckoned, and Portugal quickly drew their interest with its mixture of relative affordability, inviting culture and travel convenience.
—William P. Barrett, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Northern Michigan's Cadillac beckons visitors with its quaint small-town living on Lake Cadillac and the surrounding great outdoors.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 19 July 2025
Potlatch isn’t within walking distance of much, although the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve beckoned a block away.
—Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for beckon
Cite this Entry
“Beckon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beckon. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
beckon
verb
beck·on
ˈbek-ən 
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
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