Definition of alarms:
(n) :
Any sound or information intended to give notice of approaching danger; a warning sound to arouse attention; a warning of danger.
(n) :
A device intended to warn or give notice of approaching danger.
(v) :
(transitive) To give (someone) notice of approaching danger or necessary action; to rouse to vigilance; to put on the alert.
(v) :
(transitive, of a device) To produce a warning of approaching danger or necessary action; to emit a signal intended to rouse a recipient to vigilance or put them on the alert.
(v) :
(transitive) To surprise with apprehension of danger; to fill with anxiety in regard to threatening evil; to excite with sudden fear.
(n) :
Sudden surprise with fear or terror excited by apprehension of danger; in the military use, commonly, sudden apprehension of being attacked by surprise.