yellow alert
Americannoun
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(in military or civilian defense) the first alert given when enemy aircraft are discovered approaching a military installation, city, coastline, etc.
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the signal or alarm sounded for this alert.
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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.
A yellow alert for snow and ice is in place for Counties Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Connacht.
From BBC • Jan. 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
Meanwhile, Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands are under a less serious yellow alert.
From BBC • Jun. 29, 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 Marks, Winston K.
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.
