alarum - an automatic signal (usually a sound) warning of dangertorpedo - a small explosive device that is placed on a railroad track and fires when a train runs over it; the sound of the explosion warns the engineer of danger ahead signal, signaling, sign - any communication that encodes a message; "signals from the boat suddenly stopped" air alert - the warning signal that begins an period of preparation for an enemy air attack burglar alarm - a loud warning signal produced by a burglar alarm; "they could hear the burglar alarm a mile away" fire alarm - a shout or bell to warn that fire has broken out foghorn, fogsignal - a loud low warning signal that can be heard by fog-bound ships horn - a noise made by the driver of an automobile to give warning; red flag - a flag that serves as a warning signal; "we didn't swim at the beach because the red flag was up" siren - a warning signal that is a loud wailing sound |