fire alarm
Americannoun
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a signal that warns that a fire has started.
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a bell, buzzer, siren, horn, etc., that provides such a signal.
noun
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a device to give warning of fire, esp a bell, siren, or hooter
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a shout to warn that a fire has broken out
Etymology
Origin of fire alarm
An Americanism dating back to 1840–50
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.
Sound-designed by David Gertsman, “undertone” is so quiet that a tea kettle sounds like a fire alarm.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026
Just after 06:00 on 27 December, the fire brigade in Gelsenkirchen and a private security firm received a fire alarm warning from the bank, which may have been triggered by the thieves.
From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026
The fire alarm was set off more than once, disrupting the talk, until security staff advised they move to a higher floor.
From BBC • Dec. 21, 2025
And many told The Wall Street Journal that they never heard the building’s fire alarm, leaving them unaware of how quickly the blaze was spreading.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025
“Mom. I have to save my battery, and you have to drive home. Tell everyone...” she took a deep breath as the fire alarm suddenly stopped screaming.
From "Time Bomb" by Joelle Charbonneau
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.
