klaxon

or clax·on

[ klak-suhn ]

noun

1. a loud electric horn, formerly used on automobiles, trucks, etc., and now often used as a warning signal.

klaxon

/ ˈklæksən /

noun

1. a type of loud horn formerly used on motor vehicles

Word History and Origins

Origin of klaxon¹

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10; formerly trademark

Word History and Origins

Origin of klaxon¹

C20: former trademark, from the name of the manufacturing company

Example Sentences

Johnson, who is testifying under oath, admitted Wednesday that he made mistakes in grasping the extent of the pandemic and that his advisers failed to sound a “loud enough klaxon of alarm” about the virus.

From Seattle Times

Surveys showing strength for Republicans, often from the same partisan pollsters, set Democratic klaxons blaring in Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Colorado.

From New York Times

These wailing klaxons of a political system in peril come as Republicans and Democrats frame the upcoming midterm voting, which will determine which party controls Congress next year, as a pivotal moment in American history.

From BBC

The force of the explosion blew through a nearby McDonald’s, triggering a klaxon blaring through a commercial center.

From Los Angeles Times

FA Cup: Sound the :”magic” klaxon - we have our first upset of the weekend as Burnley go out to Huddersfield Town.

From The Guardian