early-warning system

[ ur-lee wawr-ning ]

noun

1. Military. a network of radar installations designed to detect enemy aircraft or missiles in time for the effective deployment of defense systems.
2. any series of steps established to spot potential problems.

early warning system

noun

1. a network of radar and communications units intended to detect at the earliest possible moment an attack by enemy aircraft or missiles
2. anything that gives advance notice of something

Word History and Origins

Origin of early-warning system¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Within seconds of Tuesday night’s quake, the earthquake early-warning system calculated it as a magnitude 6.0, and moments later downgraded it to magnitude 5.7.

From Los Angeles Times

Taiwan’s successful early-warning system generated significant attention in March, with many marveling at television journalists who alerted viewers about the strongest shaking from a magnitude 7.4 earthquake before it arrived in their studio, and continued broadcasting warnings even as they strained to remain standing and ceiling lights clashed together.

From Los Angeles Times

Initial calls for California’s earthquake early-warning system began more than a decade ago.

From Los Angeles Times

An upgrade to California’s earthquake early-warning system using GPS data will allow more timely alerts about shaking and better estimate the magnitude of a megaquake.

From Los Angeles Times

An upgrade to California’s earthquake early-warning system using GPS data will allow more timely alerts about shaking and better estimate the magnitude of a megaquake.

From Los Angeles Times