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  Amber Alert
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  Amber alert

  noun

  a notification to the general public, such as by commercial radio or electronic traffic-condition signs, regarding an abduction of a child

Amber Alert

American  

[am-ber uh-lert] / ˈæm bər əˌlɛrt /

Or AMBER Alert

noun

1. 1. a public alert system that uses broadcast media, text messages, and electronic billboards to spread information about missing persons, especially children.

   2. a public message or announcement that uses this system.

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Amber alert British  

noun

1. a notification to the general public, such as by commercial radio or electronic traffic-condition signs, regarding an abduction of a child

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Etymology

Origin of Amber Alert

Backronym from America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response; named after Amber Hagerman, a girl kidnapped and murdered in Texas in 1996

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Amber Alert Amber alert

The California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert on Thursday for two young brothers who are believed to be in imminent danger after allegedly being abducted from their foster care home in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2025

The California Highway Patrol sent out an Amber Alert on Sunday for “child abduction/taken,” but canceled it just hours later, saying the children had been found.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2025

Earthquakes of greater strength — magnitude 5 and above — will send users a wireless emergency alert, similar to an Amber Alert, if they’re in a location expected to get at least “light” shaking intensity.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2024

An Amber Alert was issued soon after the fire was discovered.

From Seattle Times ● May 6, 2024

If you let the Amber Alert people tell it, Scoob’s in danger no matter where he is right now.

From "Clean Getaway" by Nic Stone

Lett questioned why they weren’t alerted the same way an Amber alert goes out when a child has been abducted.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 26, 2025

Authorities were notified on Friday and an Amber alert was issued after Yasemin Uyar, 24, did not show up to work and Rios' 2-year-old son wasn't at daycare.

From Fox News ● Jul. 15, 2021

Just as actor Forest Whitaker was introducing Biden at a virtual event in June, an Amber alert shrieked from his phone.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 25, 2020

Instead, the state would buy fancy high-def digital signs to deliver messages and full-color advertising when there isn’t an Amber alert or more pressing information.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 27, 2018

An Amber alert was not issued because Jones had legal custody of the children, said South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel.

From Reuters ● Sep. 10, 2014