distress signal
noun
: a message that one is in danger
The pilot sent out a distress signal before the plane crashed.
Examples of distress signal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While on its new route, the ship came across a raft displaying a distress signal, and responded by dispatching a rescue vessel to retrieve the individuals onboard.
—
Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
On this day in 1909: The SOS radio distress signal was heard in action for the first time, sent by the SS Arapahoe off the coast of North Carolina.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 11 Aug. 2025
The solution was not to create a new one nor fly it upside down in a nod to a maritime distress signal of being in danger.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
No distress signal was sent from the sinking vessel, but at 9:30 p.m. July 8, Coast Guard watchstanders received a report that the 22-foot pleasure craft was overdue near Freeport, according to a July 9 news release.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for distress signal
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Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
On this day in 1909: The SOS radio distress signal was heard in action for the first time, sent by the SS Arapahoe off the coast of North Carolina.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 11 Aug. 2025
The solution was not to create a new one nor fly it upside down in a nod to a maritime distress signal of being in danger.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
No distress signal was sent from the sinking vessel, but at 9:30 p.m. July 8, Coast Guard watchstanders received a report that the 22-foot pleasure craft was overdue near Freeport, according to a July 9 news release.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for distress signal
Cite this Entry
“Distress signal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distress%20signal. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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