storm warning
Americannoun
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a prominently displayed object, as a flag or lantern, or clearly audible sound, as from a horn or siren, that signals the expected arrival of a storm.
As we speak, the island’s harbor masters are calling for storm warnings to be hoisted up every available flagpole.
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Meteorology. a notification by the National Weather Service of anticipated or occurring winds with sustained speeds of 48 knots (55 miles per hour, 25 meters per second) to 63 knots (73 miles per hour, 32 meters per second), or frequent gusts within that range, and not directly associated with a tropical cyclone.
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any sign or indication of approaching trouble, adversity, unrest, etc..
The arrival of troops at the border was an ominous storm warning.
I could easily interpret that look on Mom’s face as a storm warning for me and my brother.
noun
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a pattern of lights, flags, etc, displayed at certain ports as a warning to shipping of an approaching storm
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an announcement on radio or television of an approaching storm
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any warning of approaching danger or trouble
Etymology
Origin of storm warning
First recorded in 1865–70
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.
A winter storm warning was in effect for the San Bernardino County and Riverside County mountains through Friday afternoon, including in Big Bear.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025
A tropical storm warning is in place for the Turks and Caicos Islands and the speed of the slow-moving hurricane is expected to increase in the coming days.
From BBC • Oct. 29, 2025
Officials plan to issue a winter storm warning between 4 p.m.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2025
The agency issued a rare severe geomagnetic storm warning when a solar outburst reached Earth on Friday afternoon, hours sooner than anticipated.
From Seattle Times • May 11, 2024
A storm warning, or reasonable prediction of a gale from the inferences of observed meteorological instruments and phenomena.
From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir
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.
