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
Within seconds of Tuesday night’s quake, the earthquake early-warning system calculated it as a magnitude 6.0, and moments later downgraded it to magnitude 5.7.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 9, 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
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
The USGS’ earthquake early warning system was activated, reaching cellphones in the San Francisco Bay Area.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 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
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
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.
