fire alarm

See synonyms for fire alarm on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a signal that warns that a fire has started.

  2. a bell, buzzer, siren, horn, etc., that provides such a signal.

Origin of fire alarm

1
An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use fire alarm in a sentence

  • It is best not to place a switch in the fire-alarm circuit as this circuit should be in an operating condition at all times.

  • The fire-alarm switch consists of two springs that are held from contact with each other by means of a thin cord.

  • And Sally gives chase, and overtakes the other two just by the fire-alarm, where Fenwick came to a standstill.

    Somehow Good | William de Morgan
  • By law, every fire escape was rigged with a fire alarm, in addition to the regular burglar alarm.

    The Penal Cluster | Ivar Jorgensen (AKA Randall Garrett)
  • We could see the driver pop from his seat and race to the corner fire alarm box.

    Cue for Quiet | Thomas L. Sherred

British Dictionary definitions for fire alarm

fire alarm

noun
  1. a device to give warning of fire, esp a bell, siren, or hooter

  2. a shout to warn that a fire has broken out

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012