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
The fire alarm had come from the vault, Herbert Reul revealed.
From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026
Some years ago, a fire alarm went off in his own home – in a room where his tumble dryer was operating.
From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026
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
The next thing we knew, the stupid fire alarm was going off.
From "Because of Mr. Terupt" by Rob Buyea
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.
