yellow alert
Americannoun
-
(in military or civilian defense) the first alert given when enemy aircraft are discovered approaching a military installation, city, coastline, etc.
-
the signal or alarm sounded for this alert.
-
any primary stage of alert, as when toxic chemicals have escaped in a particular area and a potential hazard exists.
Etymology
Origin of yellow alert
First recorded in 1965–70
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.
Parts of the west Highlands, Argyll and the Western Isles saw heavy snow after the forecaster issued a yellow alert.
From BBC ● Apr. 5, 2026
Mallorca, another Balearic island, is also at risk of heavy rainfall and floods with Spain's weather agency, known as Aemet, placing it under a yellow alert for rain and thunderstorms.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2025
The Spanish island also issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms, from 08:00 until 18:00 on Tuesday.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2025
The yellow alert for strong winds, which may lead to some disruption, covers all of Northern Ireland and comes into effect at 03:00 GMT on Sunday until 15:00.
From BBC ● Feb. 22, 2025
Until further notice, we must proceed under a yellow alert during daylight hours and a red alert at night.
From The Test Colony by Winston K. Marks
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.
