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Synonyms

fire alarm

American  

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 British  

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

He also claimed one of the victims "pulled the fire alarm to get help", praising the boy as "a hero".

From BBC • Feb. 11, 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 fire alarm key was hanging on its hook.

From Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm

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.