- [singular, uncountable] a situation in which people are watching for danger and ready to deal with it
- on the alert (for something) Police are warning the public to be on the alert for suspicious packages.
- on alert More than 5 000 troops have been placed on (full) alert.
Extra ExamplesTopics Dangerc1, War and conflictc1- The army was yesterday placed on a state of alert in case of more riots.
- Thousands of police were put on full alert at all main roads leading to the city.
- You should always be on the alert for anyone who looks suspicious.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- heightened
- high
- full
- …
- issue
- put out
- raise
- …
- go out
- on the alert
- alert for
- be on full alert
- place somebody on alert
- put somebody on alert
- …
- [countable] a warning of danger or of a problem
- a bomb/fire alert
Extra ExamplesTopics Dangerc1, War and conflictc1- A nationwide alert went out for three escaped prisoners.
- A security alert was issued after four men escaped from the prison.
- The alert was called off when it was found that the bomb was not live.
- They rang the church bells to sound the alert and the villagers then fled.
- A bomb alert forced staff to evacuate the building for several hours.
- A flood alert has been issued in the city after last night's heavy rain.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- heightened
- high
- full
- …
- issue
- put out
- raise
- …
- go out
- on the alert
- alert for
- be on full alert
- place somebody on alert
- put somebody on alert
- …
- [countable] a signal on an electronic device to inform the user of something or remind them to do something
- You can set a vibrating alert to remind you.
- Receive regular text alerts about breaking news.
Word Originlate 16th cent. (originally in military use): from French alerte, from Italian all' erta ‘to the watchtower’.
Check pronunciation:
alert