All-clear

All-clear

An all-clear is a term used by civil defense or military authorities to inform others that an imminent physical danger has passed. This typically will end an alert or warning status that was previously issued. The all-clear can be given vocally, through media — such as television or radio, or via means of civil defense broadcast systems such as air raid and tornado sirens.

The term gained notoriety during World War I when deadly chemical agents were deployed on the battlefield — the all-clear would be given once the area was free of contamination. Since this time, the all-clear has been used to notify that conventional, nuclear, biological, chemical, or environmental threats are no longer of immediate concern.


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  • all clear — n all clear the all clear a) official permission to begin doing something give (sb)/get the all clear ▪ We ve got the all clear for the new project. b) a signal such as a loud whistle that tells you that a dangerous situation has ended …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • all-clear — allˈ clearˈ noun A signal that the reason for sheltering, or (figurative) for inactivity, is past • • • Main Entry: ↑all …   Useful english dictionary

  • all-clear — [ôl′klir′] n. a siren blast or other signal that an air raid or practice alert is over * * * …   Universalium

  • all clear — all′ clear′ n. the signal that a danger is over • Etymology: 1915–20 …   From formal English to slang

  • all-clear — ► NOUN ▪ a signal that danger or difficulty is over …   English terms dictionary

  • all-clear — [ôl′klir′] n. a siren blast or other signal that an air raid or practice alert is over …   English World dictionary

  • all clear — 1) N SING: the N The all clear is a signal that a dangerous situation, for example an air raid, has ended. The all clear was sounded about 10 minutes after the alert was given. CONVENTION All clear is also a convention. All clear, Misha growled.… …   English dictionary

  • all clear — noun the all clear a) official permission to begin doing something: We ve got the all clear from the board for the new project. b) a signal such as a loud whistle that tells you that a dangerous situation has ended: give/sound the all clear: The… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • all clear —    If you are allowed to do something after a check up to make sure that everything is all right, you get the all clear.     Dad says he s going to play golf again as soon as he gets the all clear from his doctor …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • all clear, the — noun a signal or announcement that tells people that a period of danger has ended: The bomb had been safely disarmed and the all clear was given. a. if someone who has been sick or injured is given the all clear, doctors tell them that they are… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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