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  Amber alert

  noun

  a notification to the general public, such as by commercial radio or electronic traffic-condition signs, regarding an abduction of a child

Amber Alert

American  

[am-ber uh-lert] / ˈæm bər əˌlɛrt /

Or AMBER Alert

noun

1. 1. a public alert system that uses broadcast media, text messages, and electronic billboards to spread information about missing persons, especially children.

   2. a public message or announcement that uses this system.

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Amber alert British  

noun

1. a notification to the general public, such as by commercial radio or electronic traffic-condition signs, regarding an abduction of a child

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Etymology

Origin of Amber Alert

Backronym from America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response; named after Amber Hagerman, a girl kidnapped and murdered in Texas in 1996

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Amber Alert Amber alert

Surveillance footage at the Mexico border obtained by a local news outlet appears to show a Los Angeles man and his 5-year-old daughter who was the subject of an Amber Alert this week.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2026

An Amber Alert was issued Aug. 19 asking the public for help tracking the family down.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 31, 2024

Earthquakes of greater strength — magnitude 5 and above — will send users a wireless emergency alert, similar to an Amber Alert, if they’re in a location expected to get at least “light” shaking intensity.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2024

An Amber Alert was issued soon after the fire was discovered.

From Seattle Times ● May 6, 2024

“On one of our stops, I saw this news report. There was an Amber Alert, and they said G’ma was also being investigated for a string of jewelry thefts.”

From "Clean Getaway" by Nic Stone

Lett questioned why they weren’t alerted the same way an Amber alert goes out when a child has been abducted.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 26, 2025

Authorities were notified on Friday and an Amber alert was issued after Yasemin Uyar, 24, did not show up to work and Rios' 2-year-old son wasn't at daycare.

From Fox News ● Jul. 15, 2021

Just as actor Forest Whitaker was introducing Biden at a virtual event in June, an Amber alert shrieked from his phone.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 25, 2020

Instead, the state would buy fancy high-def digital signs to deliver messages and full-color advertising when there isn’t an Amber alert or more pressing information.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 27, 2018

An Amber alert was not issued because Jones had legal custody of the children, said South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel.

From Reuters ● Sep. 10, 2014