Military. a network of radar installations designed to detect enemy aircraft or missiles in time for the effective deployment of defense systems.
any series of steps established to spot potential problems.
a network of radar and communications units intended to detect at the earliest possible moment an attack by enemy aircraft or missiles
anything that gives advance notice of something
First recorded in 1945–50
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Rinz’s research points to an early-warning system that may flag trouble ahead.
From Barron's ● May 22, 2026
The families will call for an early-warning system that would allow parents and whistleblowers to report concerns in early-years settings to an independent external body.
From BBC ● Mar. 2, 2026
The first calculation of the earthquake early-warning system will still rely on seismic sensors, which measure ground velocity and acceleration, De Groot said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2024
The researchers are now actively working on identifying compounds and microbes in the water column that serve as an early-warning system for coral reefs under stress.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 13, 2024
Ghohg had installed his own magical early-warning system: long, monstrous nerves that snaked through the hills and would jolt when a distant guard stomped on the other end.
From "The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge" by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin
The 61-year-old, a previous president of the UN General Assembly, has suggested creating an "early warning" system to detect and flag signs of impending conflict.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
This year's training has just started for the latest monitoring volunteers in a bid to expand the early warning system even further.
From BBC ● May 26, 2026
Researchers also believe measurements taken along the western edge of the Atlantic could act as an early warning system for long-term climate changes.
From Science Daily ● May 10, 2026
Nevada lacks a key seismic safety tool that California, Oregon and Washington all have — the earthquake early warning system run by the USGS, which sends alerts to smartphones or computers before the shaking starts.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026
Some were also confused by a glitch in the earthquake early warning system.
From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland
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.
