mayday

Definition

An international distress signal used by shipping and aircraft.

Etymology

From the distress signal mayday, from French m'aider, short for Venez m'aider! (“Come to help me!”).

Example Sentences

• ""Odd that she hasn't sent out a Mayday." "That is curious. Her radio must be disabled.""
• "The captain did a safety drill. This covered where the emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) was located, how to make a mayday call, and where the fire extinguishers were. A crew member demonstrated how to put on an immersion suit. These survival suits are waterproof full-body garments with a hood and integral three-finger gloves and boots. They are bulky and hard to get on but far more likely to save your life in cold water than a lifejacket."