distress call

noun

1. a prearranged communication code sign indicating that the sender is in a situation of peril, distress, or the like, as SOS, Mayday, etc.

2. a communication prompted by or indicating distress.

   The hospital sent out distress calls for all available stocks of the antitoxin.

Word History and Origins

Origin of distress call¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

The BBC was sent a recording of the distress call from the flotilla ship, recorded by a crew member on a nearby oil tanker.

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He also led submarine rescue operations, responding to distress calls from people trapped underwater.

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In Ridley Scott’s 1979 film “Alien,” the crew of the Nostromo rouses from slumber to answer a distress call that spells their doom.

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The pilot did not signal any problems with the aircraft and did not issue a distress call in the recordings reviewed by The Times.

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Mr Inman added that air traffic control attempted to contact the pilot several times but received no response or distress call.

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