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

1. an internationally recognized signal sent out by a ship or plane indicating that help is needed