alarm bell; fire bell
A physical bell that sounds an alarm, such as a fire bell or warning bell. Often used in contexts like 警鐘を鳴らす (to sound an alarm bell).
The fire alarm bell rang out.
warning; wake-up call
Figurative use: a strong warning or alert about a danger or problem. Commonly appears in the phrase 警鐘を鳴らす (to sound a warning).
Experts are sounding the alarm about global warming.
The alarm bell rang to signal the fire.
This book serves as a warning about environmental destruction.