Words / B1

FEYE-uh-uhl-ahm/ˈfaɪə əlɑːm/

A fire alarm (id: fire-alarm) is a bell or siren that warns people there is a fire. A smoke alarm is a detector in a room; the fire alarm is the building signal. Exams: you still leave; scripts stay on the desk.

Meaning

A bell or siren that warns people there is a fire.

Examples

• “A fire alarm during an exam still means you leave; scripts stay on the desk.”
• “A weekly fire-alarm test at 11am is not a real evacuation unless told.”

Good to know

a fire alarm; the fire alarm goes off. Close: a smoke alarm (detector). Exams / drills. Countable devices or events. Mix-up: a fire escape is the route out.

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