sound signals
Warnings you hear
Sound signals are auditory cues used to communicate information, especially in maritime and traffic contexts.
Ships use sound signals—horns, bells, whistles—to indicate position, intention, or danger in fog or restricted visibility.
Railroad crossings employ sound signals to warn of approaching trains.
The term extends to any systematic use of sounds to convey meaning: The referee's whistle is the sound signal to stop play.
- beepShort electronic tone
- bird songAvian vocal music
- dog whistleHigh-frequency pet caller
- sonic boomShockwave's audible crack
- Morse codeDot-dash signaling system
whistle · klaxon · car horn · alarm · air raid siren · train whistle · drumbeat · tone · chime · siren · bugle call · starting pistol · notification · radio transmission · thunderclap · emergency broadcast · voice message · buzzer
- nonverbal communicationgestures, pointing, body language, facial expressions, sign language
- signalingsmoke signals, flag signals, semaphore, heliograph, Morse code
- signalssignals, signaling, sign, waved, nodded
- boating safetylife jackets, life vests, PFDs, fire extinguisher, fire extinguishers
- military signalsflag signals, salute, hand salute, signalman, signaler
- navigation rulescollision avoidance, give way, right of way, rule of the road, safe speed
sound signalsvisual signals
Communication through sight
visual cues · hand signals · flashing lights · semaphore · sign language
sound signalssilence
Total lack of sound
radio silence · quiet · soundlessness · dead air · no signal