amber alertn.1
/ˈambə(r) əˌləːt/, U.S. /ˈæmbər əˌlərt/ Originally Military.
A warning that danger, or an emergency, is thought to be near but not actually imminent; an instruction to be prepared for an emergency; (in on amber alert) an initial state of readiness to respond to an emergency. Also in extended use.Cf. yellow alert n. at yellow adj. and n. Compounds 2a, red alert n. at red adj. and n. Compounds 1f(c)(i).
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the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > warning of imminent danger or evil > [noun] > specific types of warning
by-warning1542
gypsy's warning1824
red warning1940
yellow1940
red alert1941
yellow alert1941
red1943
code1957
amber alert1958
content warning1977
trigger warning1993
1958 Birmingham Daily Post 15 July 1/4 The ‘amber alert’ to the British Command in the Middle East, East Africa, and the Commands in West Germany.
1987 Independent 21 Oct. 19/5 The Bank of England has been on amber alert.
1992 Globe & Mail (Ottawa) (Nexis) 14 May I've moved the army from red to amber alert.
2018 Daily Mirror (Nexis) 15 Dec. 3 The amber alerts, urging people to prepare for disruption and power cuts, are in effect for parts of Scotland, the North of England and Midlands.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2019; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
Amber Alertn.2
/ˈambə(r) əˌləːt/, U.S. /ˈæmbər əˌlərt/ U.S.
An announcement that alerts the public to a missing person (esp. an abducted child), disseminated via media broadcasts, electronic roadway signs, etc.; an emergency response system using such announcements. A proprietary name in the United Kingdom.
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1999 Burleson (Texas) Star 31 Mar. 6/3 After more than two hours of searching, Hardin said he made the call to sound the Amber Alert, which is broadcast on TV and radio stations in the area.
2003 E. F. Cooper Missing & Exploited Children 19 $7 million is expected to be used by the Secretary of Transportation to develop and enhance notification or communication systems along highways for AMBER Alerts.
2010 Telegraph-Jrnl. (New Brunswick) (Nexis) 24 July n2 Amber Alert is a partnership between media and law enforcement to provide the public with information that may help in locating an abducted child.
2018 Dayton Daily News (Ohio) (Nexis) 5 July A statewide Amber Alert has been issued for a 6-year-old Hamilton County girl.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2019; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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