Code Red
noun
variants
or code red
plural Code Reds or code reds
1
: a declaration or state of emergency in a hospital when smoke or fire has been detected
2
: an officially declared emergency situation (such as a hazardous weather event) that requires action to ensure safety
If residents see a person who appears unhoused during a Code Red, they are urged to request a street outreach team by contacting the city's Homeless Outreach hotline …—Zoë Read et al.
also
: a warning of such a situation
There were no notifications, no warning sirens, no Code Reds issued. —The Houston Chronicle
(figurative) But the Code Red isn't just for Newark: The whole country faces a critical lack of air-traffic controllers, with the Federal Aviation Administration looking to hire another 3,000 … —The New York Post
Cite this Entry
“Code Red.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Code%20Red. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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