Meaning & use
claxon
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Meanings
nouncountable
A very loud horn or siren that gives a harsh warning sound, used on vehicles, ships and in factories.
Grammar: Another spelling is klaxon, which is more common in modern writing.
Patterns
- sound a claxon
- the claxon blares
A claxon sounded across the factory floor and the machines stopped.
The ship's claxon warned small boats to clear the channel.
They heard the claxon of an old truck backing up.
nouncountablefigurative
A loud, harsh sound like that of such a horn.
Grammar: Used figuratively: a claxon of alarm.
Patterns
- a claxon of alarm
The alarm clock went off like a claxon.
Her shout rang out like a claxon in the quiet hall.
Word forms
| plural | claxons |
|---|
Common combinations
- claxon sounds
- The claxon sounds whenever the pressure gets too high.
- blaring claxon
- A blaring claxon woke the whole crew.
- sound the claxon
- The captain ordered them to sound the claxon.
- claxon horn
- A claxon horn was fitted to the front of the bus.
- claxon alarm
- The claxon alarm echoed through the tunnel.
Synonyms and how they differ
- klaxon
- Klaxon is the more common spelling today, and was originally a trade name.
- siren
- A siren rises and falls in pitch, while a claxon gives a harsher, flatter blast.
- horn
- A horn is any signal device on a vehicle, whereas a claxon is especially loud and urgent.
- alarm
- Alarm is a general word for any warning signal, not necessarily a horn.
Word family
- klaxon noun
- the more usual modern spelling of the same word
Commonly confused: claxon or clarion?
claxon vs clarion
A clarion is a clear, rousing trumpet call, often figurative, while a claxon is a harsh electric warning horn.
Practice
A loud warning horn used in a factory could be called a ___.
Choose one answer.
A claxon is a harsh warning horn. A clarion is a clear trumpet call, usually for rousing people, so it is a tempting but weaker fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “claxon”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.