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.
Buying Guide
Our Reviews team has selected the best smoke detectors.
Learn More About alarm bell
Statistics for alarm bell
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Alarm bell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alarm%20bell. Accessed 20 May. 2022.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Test Your Vocabulary
Which Word Does Not Belong?
-
- Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
-
You're (Probably) Saying It Wrong
18 words even you might be mispronouncing
-
Great Big List of Beautiful & Useless Words
Along with their degrees of usefulness
-
12 French Phrases from Downton Abbey
Many of us have an 'idée fixe'
-
Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names
When 'thingamajig' and 'thingamabob' just won't do
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
The Great British Vocabulary Quiz
Make sure you know the difference between a loo a...
Take the quiz
-
Face Your Fears
Don't be scared to answer these questions about f...
Take the quiz
-
Yearbook Superlatives Quiz
"Most Likely to Use Obscure Words"
Take the quiz
-
Lexigo
Find the hidden words by solving the clues
Take the quiz
Share alarm bell
Time Traveler for alarm bell
The first known use of alarm bell was in 1548
See more words from the same year