air alert

American  

noun

1. the act of flying while waiting for combat orders or for enemy airplanes to appear.

2. the signal to take stations for such action.

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air alert British  

noun

1. the condition in which combat aircraft are airborne and ready for an operation

2. a signal to prepare for this

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Etymology

Origin of air alert

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

The mayor of Kyiv said before the air alert was lifted that drone debris had crashed in two districts of the city but did not report any casualties.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

The Ukrainian military said the whole country has been placed under an air alert.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2024

That’s especially true for Ukrainian parents like Dmytro and Yulia Kravchenko, who leap to check on 18-month-old Mikhail whenever an air alert sounds.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 5, 2023

When the dangers from the skies pass, Hamill announces via the app that “the air alert is over.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 27, 2023

"There is a big threat of a missile attack. I want to stress again - do not ignore the air alert sirens," said Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv city military administration.

From Reuters • Feb. 10, 2023