Alarm Meaning
Alarm Definition & Usage
A loud noise or signal used to warn or alert people to an emergency or important event.
Examples
- "The fire alarm went off in the middle of the night, waking everyone up."
- "He set his alarm for 6 AM to make sure he didn't oversleep."
- "The alarm sounded when the system detected a breach in security."
- "She heard the alarm ringing but chose to ignore it, thinking it was a false alarm."
- "The car's alarm went off after someone tried to break into it."
To make someone aware of a problem or danger, typically in a way that causes concern or worry.
Examples
- "The sudden rise in global temperatures alarms scientists around the world."
- "Her doctor’s warning about her health condition alarmed her greatly."
- "The unexpected drop in stock prices alarmed investors."
- "The report on the country’s declining education system has alarmed the public."
- "The noise in the basement alarmed the family, prompting them to check the house for intruders."
A strong feeling of fear or worry caused by a perceived threat or danger.
Examples
- "There was widespread alarm after the news of the bomb threat was announced."
- "The alarm in her voice was unmistakable when she saw the fire."
- "People expressed alarm over the increasing crime rate in the city."
- "The government’s failure to address the issue caused alarm among citizens."
- "His early departure from the meeting caused alarm among his colleagues."
Cultural Context
The word 'alarm' originally comes from the Italian 'all'arme', meaning 'to arms' or 'call to battle'. It was later adopted into French and English to refer to any type of warning signal or call for action. The modern use of alarms has expanded from military contexts to everyday safety measures, such as fire alarms, car alarms, and alarm clocks.
The Midnight Alarm
Story
The Midnight Alarm
It was a quiet, peaceful night when Mia’s alarm clock suddenly jolted her awake, ringing louder than she had ever heard before. Disoriented, she fumbled to silence it, only to realize it wasn’t her clock—it was the fire alarm in the hallway. Panic set in as she jumped out of bed and ran towards the source of the noise. Her heart raced as she imagined the worst—a fire breaking out in the building. The alarm echoed through the halls, making it difficult to think clearly, but she couldn’t ignore the sense of urgency. As she reached the fire escape, she saw her neighbors already standing outside, their faces marked with alarm as they waited for the firefighters to arrive. It turned out to be a false alarm triggered by a malfunctioning smoke detector, but the feeling of alarm lingered in her mind, a reminder of how quickly fear can take hold in times of uncertainty.
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