Definition

Noun: 1. A loud, deep horn used as a warning signal by ships in foggy conditions to indicate their presence. 2. A device that produces this loud, low-pitched sound.

Usage

The word "foghorn" is used to describe the specific acoustic signal or the physical apparatus that creates it, primarily in maritime contexts. It is a compound noun, but its meaning is treated as a single, specific concept.

Examples: - The ship sounded its foghorn every two minutes as it navigated through the thick mist. - We could hear the mournful blast of a foghorn from the harbor. - The lighthouse is equipped with a powerful foghorn.

Advanced Usage

• Metaphorical Use: Informally, "foghorn" can describe a person's voice that is exceptionally loud and harsh.
  • Example: The coach's foghorn of a voice could be heard across the entire field.

Variants and Related Words

• Fog signal: A more general term for any device (including horns, sirens, bells, or whistles) used to warn ships in fog.
• Marine horn: A technical term for a horn used on vessels.

Synonyms

• Warning horn
• Marine signal horn
• Siren (though a siren is typically higher-pitched)

Idioms and Phrases

Note: There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs that use the exact word "foghorn." Its usage is largely literal.

Noun

1. a warning device consisting of a horn that generates a loud low tone
2. a loud low warning signal that can be heard by fogbound ships