foghorn

noun

fog·​horn ˈfȯg-ˌhȯrn How to pronounce foghorn (audio)
ˈfäg-
1
: a horn (as on a ship) sounded in a fog to give warning
2
: a loud hoarse voice

Examples of foghorn in a Sentence

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 lightkeepers of yore almost went mad from cabin fever and constant foghorns. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025 Whistles, horns, foghorns, airhorns, plastic horns or other noise makers. — Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 8 Aug. 2025 Some protesters used stilts, music, flares and foghorns to amplify their message. — Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025 In the engine room, Hoff spoke of how some keepers went mad because of the foghorn blasting every few seconds. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foghorn

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of foghorn was in 1819

Browse Nearby Words

Foggy Bottom
foghorn
fogie
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foghorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foghorn. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

foghorn

noun
fog·​horn ˈfȯg-ˌhȯ(ə)rn How to pronounce foghorn (audio)
ˈfäg-
: a horn (as on a ship) sounded in foggy weather to give warning

More from Merriam-Webster on foghorn

Nglish: Translation of foghorn for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about foghorn

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