Definition

A loud signaling horn or electronic device used by ships and coastal installations to warn of their presence in fog or low visibility conditions; also used figuratively to describe a loud, forceful voice or manner.

Example Usage

The ship's foghorn bellowed through the mist, its deep blast echoing off the rocks and warning others of the hidden reef.

Origin

Compound of fog + horn; used since the 1800s as steam-powered maritime safety devices proliferated.

Fun Fact

The iconic foghorn sound (three blasts in sequence) was standardized internationally by maritime law; modern aids like GPS have reduced reliance on them, making traditional foghorns increasingly rare.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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See “Foghorn” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

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