burglar alarm

noun

1. an automatic device for giving an alarm when a window, door, safe, etc., is opened or tampered with, as by a burglar.

Word History and Origins

Origin of burglar alarm¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

By law, every fire escape was rigged with a fire alarm, in addition to the regular burglar alarm.

From Project Gutenberg

This is the bell that belonged to the "burglar-alarm," lately connected with the show-case, &c.

From Project Gutenberg

This is the wire that rang the bell, that belonged to the "burglar-alarm," lately connected with the show-case, &c.

From Project Gutenberg

An electric fire detector in the cellar acts much like a burglar alarm.

From Project Gutenberg

Here it ran for several weeks as a telephone system by day and a burglar-alarm by night.

From Project Gutenberg