panic button

noun

: something setting off a precipitous emergency response
there was no pushing of panic buttons at the White House, no rushing of troopsJ. C. Harsch

Examples of panic button in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web While no one in the Orioles’ clubhouse is hitting the panic button, Kimbrel’s effectiveness, which has been erratic the past few seasons, will be key as the team heads into May. Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2024 The witness pushed the store’s panic button and called 911. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for panic button 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'panic button.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of panic button was in 1948

Dictionary Entries Near panic button

Cite this Entry

“Panic button.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panic%20button. Accessed 2 Jun. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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