Amber Alert

noun

variants or less commonly Amber alert or amber alert

plural Amber Alerts also Amber alerts or amber alerts

US

: a widely publicized bulletin that alerts the public to a recently abducted or missing child

… State Police activated the Amber Alert in search of a male infant who they believed was kidnapped …

—Herald News (Fall River, MA)

State Police put out an Amber alert …

—Travis Andersen

… sends a text message … for emergency alerts (like hurricanes and amber alerts) …

—Greg Ganske

Amber Alerts are issued when a child under 18 is abducted and believed to be in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death.

—Anthony Maenza

compare blue alert, silver alert

Examples of Amber Alert in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On Monday night, the California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert for the child, Daleza. —Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026

The girl’s disappearance led to a large search of the area in near-zero-degree weather, and an Amber Alert after investigators realized she was likely abducted by a stranger. —Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 28 May 2026

Authorities issued an Amber Alert over the weekend, saying the two boys were in danger and were taken by their father. —Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026

An Amber Alert issued for 4-year-old Daleza Fregoso, who was allegedly abducted by a 40-year-old man from Los Angeles on Sunday. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 26 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

from the U.S. Justice Department AMBER Alert Program that issues such bulletins, originally from Amber Hagerman †1996 U.S. victim of an abduction, later read as an acronym for America's Missing Broadcast Emergency Response

First Known Use

1997, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Amber Alert

• assert
• avert
• dessert
• divert
• evert
• exert
• inert
• insert
• invert
• nightshirt
• overt
• revert

Kids Definition

Amber alert

noun

: a widely publicized bulletin that alerts the public to a recently abducted or missing child

Legal Definition

Amber Alert

noun

: a widely publicized bulletin that alerts the public to a recently abducted or missing child

Etymology

from the U.S. Justice Dept. AMBER Alert Program that issues such bulletins, originally from Amber Hagerman †1996 victim of an abduction, later read as America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response