alarm bell

noun

Definition of alarm bell

: a bell that sounds when an alarm is activated —often used figuratively … the Mexican swine flu outbreak that is sounding alarm bells [=causing people to become worried or alarmed] across the world …— Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2009 The spike in oil prices has set off alarm bells across the automobile industry.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about alarm bell

Dictionary Entries near alarm bell

Statistics for alarm bell

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for alarm bell

The first known use of alarm bell was in 1548

See more words from the same year

Comments on alarm bell

What made you want to look up alarm bell? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

provender

food or victuals

Test Your Vocabulary

Farm Idioms Quiz

What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ