Air Alert (Noun)
Meaning 1
The time period during which military and civilian agencies are prepared for an enemy air attack.
Classification
Nouns denoting time and temporal relations.
Examples
- During World War II, air-raid wardens patrolled the streets during an air alert to ensure citizens took cover.
- The government issued an air alert to the public, warning them of an impending bombing raid.
- Sirens blared throughout the city, signaling the start of an air alert as enemy aircraft approached.
- The town's air-raid shelter was opened during the air alert, providing a safe haven for civilians.
- Military personnel scrambled to their posts during the air alert, ready to respond to the incoming attack.
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
The condition in which combat aircraft are airborne and ready for an operation; "aircraft in the Mideast are on air alert".
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Hypernyms
Meaning 3
The warning signal that begins a period of preparation for an enemy air attack.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The air alert sirens began to wail as the radar operators detected enemy aircraft approaching the coast.
- The military command center issued an air alert to all units in the region, ordering them to prepare for an imminent air strike.
- After receiving an air alert from a neighboring country, the national air defense system was immediately activated.
- The pilot's voice came over the intercom, "We have an air alert, repeat, air alert - incoming missiles detected, take evasive action immediately."
- An air alert was declared over the entire city, prompting citizens to seek shelter underground as enemy bombers were spotted on the horizon.