SOS signal
Emergency radio plea
An SOS signal is a distress call indicating urgent need for help.
The letters SOS were chosen for Morse code because they're unmistakable—three dots, three dashes, three dots.
Though sometimes said to stand for "save our souls" or "save our ship," SOS was selected purely for its distinctiveness.
The term extends to any desperate plea: She sent out an SOS to her friends when the project fell apart.
- distressSevere anxiety or suffering
- distress callUrgent plea for aid
- maydayRadio emergency signal
- call for helpDistress signal seeking assistance
- rescueSave from harm
search and rescue · coast guard helicopter · emergency · flare · beacon · emergency beacon · help · man overboard · shipwreck · stranded · desert island · urgent · lifeboat · coastguard · survivor · radio · transmit · desperate
- emergency responsefirst responders, emergency services, fire alarm, 911, call 911
- signalswaved, nodded, gestured, blinked, flashed
- survivalsurvival, survive, endure, persist, last
- telegraphytelegraph, Morse code, telegraphy, telegraph key, telegraph line
- radioFM radio, crystal set, AM radio, radio station, radio broadcast
- Marine RadioVHF radio, mayday call, distress call, radiotelephone, pan-pan
SOS signalall clear
Signal danger has passed
casual greeting · status update · everything's fine · wellness check · small talk
SOS signalall clear signal
Notice danger has ended
stand down · safe and sound · false alarm · mission accomplished · out of danger
SOS, signal, signals, signaled, signaling, signaller, signalman, sign, signs