distress signal
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: An internationally recognized signal, sent from a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, that indicates it is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.
Usage
The term "distress signal" is used to describe a specific, pre-defined communication indicating an emergency. It is a formal call for help used in maritime, aviation, and sometimes land-based contexts.
Examples
- The sinking ship transmitted a distress signal before it lost power.
- Rescuers located the plane after picking up its distress signal.
- All vessels in the area are obligated to respond to a distress signal.
Advanced Usage
- "to send a distress signal": The act of actively transmitting the emergency call.
- The captain ordered the crew to send a distress signal immediately.
- "to issue a distress signal": A more formal way to describe transmitting the signal.
- The pilot issued a distress signal after the second engine failed.
Variants and Related Words
- Distress call (n): Often used synonymously with "distress signal," particularly for radio voice communications.
- The coast guard received a frantic distress call.
- SOS (n): A specific, well-known Morse code distress signal.
- Mayday (n): The international radiotelephony distress signal used in voice communications, primarily for aviation and maritime.
Synonyms
- Emergency signal
- SOS
- Mayday call
Related Phrases
- Distress beacon (n): A physical device, such as an EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) or PLB (Personal Locator Beacon), that automatically transmits a distress signal.
- The hiker's distress beacon led rescuers directly to him.
Noun
- an internationally recognized signal sent out by a ship or plane indicating that help is needed