warning device
1
3.7
- noun
:
dispositivo de alerta
- Emergency exit signs act as a crucial warning device, guiding people to safety during evacuations.
- early warning device
Examples
-
JEFF: We were getting a large number of warning devices, audio signals.
-
The smoke alarms in the building are an essential warning device that helps ensure everyone's safety.
-
But we have the perfect early warning device between us.
-
However, I'm sure King has protected his workshop with some warning device.
-
They had expressed an interest in purchasing his portable wind-activated storm warning device.
Fiction book (1991) -
Commencing infra-red warning device!
-
(warning device beeps)
-
It really is just a warning device for people who don’t get out in cold weather much!
Blog text (10) -
And one was the crucial early-warning device for solar storms that threaten electric utility grids and pipelines.
-
There are tens of thousands of assistive devices that indirectly relieve the burden for care providers in this way, including such common equipment as wheelchairs and grab bars, and some devices designed primarily to directly assist care providers; for example, warning devices that signal that the care recipient has wandered.
Academic text (2001)
Synonyms
842
1.0
A device that makes a loud sound to warn or wake people
259
2.9
A machine that makes a loud wailing sound to warn people
104
1.0
A small machine that makes a low, repeating sound to tell people something
89
1.0
A device that makes a sound to get someone's attention
54
1.6
Something that shows there may be danger or a problem
36
2.5
A group of devices that warns you automatically about danger like fire or a break-in
31
1.0
A loud signal that warns people there is a fire or smoke
13
2.2
A device that makes a loud noise when it finds smoke to warn people
9
3.0
A device that makes a loud noise when someone breaks into a house or shop
8
3.4
A light or action used to get people's attention
7
2.2
A bell that rings to warn people of danger or an emergency
7
3.2
A light that turns on in vehicles or machines to show a problem
5
3.2
A loud sound or flashing light that tells people there is danger
2
2.0
A bell that rings to warn people about a fire
1
3.7
A sign that something dangerous may happen
1
3.8
A thing that uses sound or light to warn people and give information
1
3.9
A person, device, or app that tells people about something important
1
3.5
A sign that tells people about a possible problem
A person or machine that warns people about danger and problems
How Noticeable
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a device designed to alert people to danger' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'warning' (an alert) with 'device' (a manufactured instrument). This noun-modifier + noun composition follows a regular, cross-linguistically common pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
The term warning device comes from the simple image of a bell, whistle, or siren that gives a loud warning to people when there is danger. The word device means a tool, so the phrase means 'a tool that alerts people to danger'.