red alert
Americannoun
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(in military or civilian defense) the most urgent form of alert, signaling that an enemy attack is believed to be imminent.
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the signal or alarm sounded for this alert.
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a signal or warning that a critical situation is developing or has occurred.
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the period during which a state of crisis or danger is declared to exist.
Etymology
Origin of red alert
First recorded in 1960–65
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The security manager indicated to staff a "Code Red" alert when they were made aware of a serious incident and Mr Fisher was seen on the floor.
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2024
Red alert reached long ago, warning lights flashing and sirens blaring.
From BBC • Jun. 11, 2023
"Red alert -- shut the servers down! Shut them all down!"
From Fox News • Oct. 16, 2020
Red alert … the defaced Mark Rothko Seagram painting at Tate Modern.
From The Guardian • Oct. 8, 2012
Suddenly a sergeant rushed upstairs shouting: "Red alert!"
From Time Magazine Archive
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
