Belisha beacon

Definition

A tall black and white pole topped by a flashing orange globe, placed on either side of the road at zebra crossings; mostly now replaced by more sophisticated arrangements.

Etymology

Named after Leslie Hore-Belisha, the Minister of Transport who introduced them in 1934.

Example Sentences

• "A police constable concealed in a doorway in City Road, Finsbury, saw a youth of seventeen, who had two others with him, climb a Belisha beacon and break the globe with his fist. It was the hundredth beacon globe to be broken in Finsbury since November."