klaxon
Klaxon (noun) means a loud electric horn or alarm, especially the type once used on early cars and emergency vehicles. Example: “A klaxon blared as the factory shift changed.”
How to use klaxon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA loud horn-style alarm, or the sound it makes.
Word forms
klaxoned past tense, klaxons plural, klaxons singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ blared as the factory shift changed.
Etymology
Originally a trademark, from a Greek verb meaning "to make a sharp sound." An American manufacturer registered it in the early 1900s for the loud horns fitted to early automobiles, and the name eventually became a generic word for any similar alarm.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for klaxon
See all rhymes for klaxon →Frequently asked questions
What does “klaxon” mean?
The word “klaxon” means a loud electric horn or alarm, especially the type once used on early cars and emergency vehicles. In plain terms, a loud horn-style alarm, or the sound it makes.
How do you pronounce “klaxon”?
“Klaxon” is pronounced KLAK-suhn (/ˈklæksən/ in IPA).
How do you use “klaxon” in a sentence?
Here is “klaxon” used in a sentence: “A klaxon blared as the factory shift changed.”
What part of speech is “klaxon”?
Depending on how it is used, “klaxon” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “klaxon” come from?
The word “klaxon” dates back to around 1900 and comes from Greek.
How many meanings does “klaxon” have?
“Klaxon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a loud electric horn or alarm, especially the type once used on early cars and emergency vehicles.