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Synonyms

burglar alarm

American  

noun

  1. an automatic device for giving an alarm when a window, door, safe, etc., is opened or tampered with, as by a burglar.


Etymology

Origin of burglar alarm

First recorded in 1830–40

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.

See Examples For:

His mother “worked as a receptionist at a burglar alarm company—one of the few growth industries in the neighborhood” during the early 1960s.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 20, 2026

He rigged a burglar alarm with foam so it made a loud clattering sound.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 9, 2026

The next morning a builder arrived to work at the house, heard the burglar alarm and looked through a window.

From BBC Apr. 10, 2025

The first possible sign of Cavalcante that alerted searchers shortly after midnight Tuesday was a burglar alarm.

From Seattle Times Sep. 13, 2023

Bernabe likened the painted cattleguard to the sort of stickers—“Protected by Acme Burglar Alarm System”—store owners who could not afford burglar alarm systems put on prominent display in their business windows.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

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