alarum

/əˈlɑrəm/

Other forms: alarums

Definitions of alarum

1. noun

   an automatic signal (usually a sound) warning of danger
   synonyms: alarm, alert, warning signal

   types:

   torpedo

   a small explosive device that is placed on a railroad track and fires when a train runs over it; the sound of the explosion warns the engineer of danger ahead

   air alert

   the warning signal that begins a period of preparation for an enemy air attack

   burglar alarm

   a loud warning signal produced by a burglar alarm

   fire alarm

   a shout or bell to warn that fire has broken out

   foghorn, fogsignal

   a loud low warning signal that can be heard by fogbound ships

   horn

   a noise made by the driver of an automobile to give warning;

   red flag

   a flag that serves as a warning signal

   siren

   a warning signal that is a loud wailing sound

   alarm bell, tocsin

   the sound of an alarm (usually a bell)

   type of:

   sign, signal, signaling

   any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message