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alert

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Alert describes a person or thing extremely aware of what is going on with their surroundings, and is often ready to quickly respond to a possibly dangerous situation.

(adjective)

A mother who is at an airport with her children constantly keeping an eye on where they are and requesting they stay close is an example of someone who is being alert.

Alert is defined as being awake and functioning at an energetic level.

(adjective)

An example of alert is the doctor who takes a quick nap before his next surgery so that he is well rested and ready to perform at a high level of awareness.

The definition of alert is a state of awareness as to what is going on with one’s surroundings, and often causes a person to be ready to quickly respond to a possibly dangerous situation.

(noun)

When a woman is walking down a dark alley at night and keeps checking behind her, it is an example of alert.

Alert means a public method of warning people, either to give them vital information or to report danger.

(noun)

An example of an alert are tornado sirens going off when a possible twister is headed in that direction.

The definition of alert is to take action and warn people to be aware of something that has happened in the past, is presently occurring, or will happen in the future.

(verb)

When a person runs from door to door ringing bells and shouting about a fire, it is an example of alerting a neighborhood to danger.

See alert in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

watchful and ready, as in facing danger
quick in thought or action; active; nimble

Origin: Fr alerte, earlier à l'erte < It all' erta, on the watch < alla, at the + erta, a lookout, high (point) < VL *ergere, for L erigere, to erect

noun

a warning signal as of an expected air raid; alarm
the period during which such a warning is in effect

transitive verb

to warn to be ready or watchful: the troops were alerted
to inform or make aware of: we alerted them to their duties

Related Forms:

alertly adverb
alertness noun

See alert in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Vigilantly attentive; watchful: alert to danger; an alert bank guard. See Synonyms at aware.
Mentally responsive and perceptive; quick.
Brisk or lively in action: the bird's alert hopping from branch to branch.

noun

A signal that warns of attack or danger: Sirens sounded the alert for an air raid.
A condition or period of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action: Nuclear-armed bombers were put on alert during the crisis.

transitive verb a·lert·ed, a·lert·ing, a·lerts

To notify of approaching danger or action; warn: a flashing red light that alerted motorists to trouble ahead.

Origin:

Origin: French alerte

Origin: , from Italian all' erta, on the lookout

Origin: : alla, to the, on the (from Latin ad illam, to that : ad, to; see ad- + illam, feminine accusative sing. of ille, that, the; see al-¹ in Indo-European roots)