red alert
Americannoun
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(in military or civilian defense) the most urgent form of alert, signaling that an enemy attack is believed to be imminent.
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the signal or alarm sounded for this alert.
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a signal or warning that a critical situation is developing or has occurred.
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the period during which a state of crisis or danger is declared to exist.
Etymology
Origin of red alert
First recorded in 1960–65
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.
"Because they're constantly frightened of the event happening again, they stay in red alert mode so they're hypervigilant, always looking out for danger, always looking over their shoulder, even when danger isn't there."
From BBC • May 13, 2026
It is understood her arrest followed an Interpol red alert.
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026
Mozambique has declared a red alert in the wake of the devastating floods while South Africa has announced a national disaster.
From BBC • Jan. 19, 2026
And when Google released its latest model to positive reactions, Altman issued a "red alert," urging OpenAI teams to give ChatGPT their best efforts.
From Barron's • Dec. 16, 2025
"The Bionic Unit is on red alert," he says.
From "Freak The Mighty" by Rodman Philbrick
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.
