1. An automatic signal (usually a sound) warning of danger
   "The fire alarm's warning signal alerted everyone to evacuate the building";
   - alert, warning signal, alarum [archaic]
    
2. A device that signals the occurrence of some undesirable event
   "The building's fire alarm system was activated by the smoke";
   - warning device, alarm system
    
3. Fear resulting from the awareness of danger
   "The sudden earthquake caused alarm among the city's residents";
   - dismay, consternation
    
4. A clock that wakes a sleeper at some preset time
   "He set his alarm clock for 6 AM";
   - alarm clock

1. Warn or arouse to a sense of danger or call to a state of preparedness
   "The empty house alarmed him";
   - alert
    
2. Fill with apprehension or alarm; cause to be unpleasantly surprised
   "I was alarmed at the thought of being late for my interview";
   - dismay, appal [Brit, Cdn], appall [US], horrify
    
3. To equip with an alarm system
   "We alarmed all the doors and windows"

Derived forms: alarming, alarmed, alarms

See also: alarming, unalarming

Type of: affright, clock, device, fear, fearfulness, fright, frighten, scare, sign, signal, signaling [N. Amer], signalling [Brit, Cdn], warn

Encyclopedia: Alarm, The