Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of loud electric horn: A "klaxon" is a specific kind of audible warning device, historically used on motor vehicles, which produces a loud, often harsh or strident sound.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old truck was fitted with a distinctive klaxon.
  • He sounded the klaxon to warn pedestrians.
  • The sound of a klaxon echoed through the streets.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Descriptive Context: The term "klaxon" often evokes early to mid-20th century vehicles. It is sometimes used more broadly to describe any similarly loud, attention-grabbing alarm sound, even if not from a vehicle.
  • The factory's emergency signal was a deep, blaring klaxon.

Variants and Related Words

• Klaxons (n): The standard plural form.
  • A chorus of klaxons filled the air.

Synonyms

• Horn: A more general term for a vehicle's sound signal.
• Siren: Often used for emergency vehicles; implies a wailing sound rather than a single blast.
• Hooter: A chiefly British informal term for a vehicle horn.

Related Idioms or Phrases

• Sound the klaxon: This phrase means to activate a loud warning or alert, often used figuratively to signal the start of an urgent activity or to raise an alarm about a problem.
  • When the deadline was moved up, the manager sounded the klaxon and we all started working overtime.

Noun

1. a kind of loud horn formerly used on motor vehicles