air alert

American  

noun

1. the act of flying while waiting for combat orders or for enemy airplanes to appear.

2. the signal to take stations for such action.

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air alert British  

noun

1. the condition in which combat aircraft are airborne and ready for an operation

2. a signal to prepare for this

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Etymology

Origin of air alert

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Ukraine's air force also announced a countrywide air alert in the early hours of Saturday and said on social media that drones and missiles were moving over several Ukrainian regions, including the capital.

From Barron's • Dec. 26, 2025

The Ukrainian military said the whole country has been placed under an air alert.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2024

That’s especially true for Ukrainian parents like Dmytro and Yulia Kravchenko, who leap to check on 18-month-old Mikhail whenever an air alert sounds.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 5, 2023

And those same apps didn’t have “Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill announcing when the danger has passed, reassuringly saying in his Luke Skywalker voice: “The air alert is over. May the force be with you.”

From Seattle Times • Feb. 20, 2023

"There is a big threat of a missile attack. I want to stress again - do not ignore the air alert sirens," said Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv city military administration.

From Reuters • Feb. 10, 2023