early-warning system
noun
a network of radar installations designed to detect enemy aircraft or missiles in time for the effective deployment of defense systems.
Jump To:
-
early-warning system
-
early warning system
early warning systemnouna network of radar and communications units intended to detect at the earliest possible moment an attack by enemy aircraft or missiles
early-warning system
American
[ur-lee wawr-ning]
/ ˈɜr li ˈwɔr nɪŋ /
noun
-
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.
early warning system
British
noun
-
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
Etymology
Origin of early-warning system
First recorded in 1945–50
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:
Rinz’s research points to an early-warning system that may flag trouble ahead.
From Barron's ● May 22, 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
What’s more, an over-the-horizon early-warning system the Soviet Union built in Ukraine in 1976 had been shuttered by the end of the Cold War.
From Science Magazine ● Nov. 17, 2023
You crackled when you neared his desk—his early-warning system.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
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
Researchers have figured out how to develop hurricane warnings, tsunami warnings, even an earthquake early warning system.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
She explains that investor buying and selling serves as an early warning system for a fund’s future.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 4, 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
The early warning system worked perfectly in Fukushima prefecture.
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.
