Amber Alert

or AM·BER A·lert

[ am-ber uh-lert ]

noun

1. 1. a public alert system that uses broadcast media, text messages, and electronic billboards to spread information about missing persons, especially children.
   2. a public message or announcement that uses this system.

Amber alert

noun

1. a notification to the general public, such as by commercial radio or electronic traffic-condition signs, regarding an abduction of a child

Word History and Origins

Origin of Amber Alert¹

Backronym from America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response; named after Amber Hagerman, a girl kidnapped and murdered in Texas in 1996

Word History and Origins

Origin of Amber Alert¹

C20: named after Amber Hagerman , a child who was abducted and murdered in 1996 in Arlington, Texas

Example Sentences

Ch Supt Hilary Sloan, head of road policing at Police Scotland, urged drivers in the amber alert area to plan ahead.

From BBC

There could also be damage to buildings such as tiles blown off, some bridge and road closures, ferry and train cancellations and a risk to life from high waves during the amber alert period from 09:00 on Sunday, to midnight.

From BBC

An Amber Alert was issued Aug. 19 asking the public for help tracking the family down.

From Los Angeles Times

Supplies of blood have improved since an "amber alert" in July but there is still a risk that the care of hospital patients could be impacted, officials said.

From BBC

This is known as an amber alert.

From BBC