danger
n.-
1 possibility of harm (n.) A2 Elementarythe possibility that someone will be hurt or something bad will happen.
the state of being vulnerable to injury, loss, or destruction. Uncountable in this abstract sense.
ExampleThe hikers were in danger when the storm suddenly moved in.
ExampleThe rescue team operated under constant danger, navigating unstable terrain while the blizzard continued to worsen.
PitfallHe was in a danger.He was in danger.When describing the state of being at risk, 'danger' is uncountable and does not take an article.
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2 a cause of harm (n.) A2 Elementarya person or thing that is likely to cause harm or trouble.
a specific person, object, or situation that constitutes a threat. Countable in this sense.
ExampleThe broken glass on the playground is a danger to children.
ExampleThe report identified several hidden dangers in the old factory, including faulty wiring and structural weaknesses in the floorboards.
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3 railway signal (n.) C2 Proficiency Technical British Englisha signal that tells a train driver to stop because it is not safe to go forward.
the stop indication of a railway signal, typically used in the prepositional phrase 'at danger'.
ExampleThe train stopped because the signal was at danger.
ExampleThe investigation revealed that the locomotive had passed a signal at danger, narrowly avoiding a collision with a freight train on the main line.
UsageUsually appears in the phrase 'at danger'.
- stop signal
From Middle English daunger (“power, dominion, peril”), from Anglo-Norman dangier, from Old French dangier, alteration of Old French dongier (due to association with Latin damnum (“damage”)) from Vulgar Latin *dominārium (“authority, power”) from Latin dominus (“lord, master”). Displaced native Old English frēcennes.