fire alarm

noun

1. a signal that warns that a fire has started.
2. a bell, buzzer, siren, horn, etc., that provides such a signal.

fire alarm

noun

1. a device to give warning of fire, esp a bell, siren, or hooter
2. a shout to warn that a fire has broken out

Word History and Origins

Origin of fire alarm¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

As a 14-year-old interested in cooking, I smoked out many hotel rooms and set off countless fire alarms trying to smoke fish for my family.

From Eater

It is as though the fire alarm at your workplace was always blaring.

From Washington Post

After we fell asleep, the fire alarm in Debra’s studio had started going on and off randomly throughout the night.

From Outside Online

As other reviewers have previously noted, people can use Alexa for more complex tasks at home like automatically turning on Internet-connected lights if the assistant hears a fire alarm.

From Fortune

Scientists in Michigan have developed a forest fire alarm system.

From Science News For Students

Here, a former student pulled a fire alarm to attract potential victims before threatening his roommate, who escaped.

From The Daily Beast

Then the gunfire ceased and the only sound was that fire alarm as Alexis seemed to vanish.

From The Daily Beast

That morning, I escaped from the school with my classmates at the prompting of a strobe-lighted fire alarm after shots rang out.

From The Daily Beast

Jan. 5, 2009 – 10:53 p.m. Type: 911 Subject: Alarm Report: Fire alarm going off 13.

From The Daily Beast

June 10, 2009 – 1:55 a.m. Type: 911 Subject: Alarm Report: Fire alarm going off 16.

From The Daily Beast

It is best not to place a switch in the fire-alarm circuit as this circuit should be in an operating condition at all times.

From Project Gutenberg

The fire-alarm switch consists of two springs that are held from contact with each other by means of a thin cord.

From Project Gutenberg

And Sally gives chase, and overtakes the other two just by the fire-alarm, where Fenwick came to a standstill.

From Project Gutenberg

By law, every fire escape was rigged with a fire alarm, in addition to the regular burglar alarm.

From Project Gutenberg

We could see the driver pop from his seat and race to the corner fire alarm box.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• smoke alarm
• sprinkler system