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Synonyms

distress signal

American  

noun

  1. a signal used, or designed to be used, by persons in peril, for the purpose of summoning aid, indicating their position, etc., as a radio code sign, aerial flare, flag hoist, or the like.

  2. an indication, especially a nonverbal one, that assistance, cooperation, or the like, is needed.

    He correctly interpreted the host's upturned eyes as a distress signal and hastily changed the subject.
distress signal British  

noun

  1. a signal by radio, Very light, etc from a ship or other vessel in need of immediate assistance

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of distress signal

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The increase represents yet another distress signal coming from within the housing market.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 10, 2026

"The Colombian boat was adrift and had its distress signal on," Petro said, referring to the strike that killed Carranza.

From Barron's • Oct. 19, 2025

Six people were on board the Naddoddur when it got into trouble on Tuesday evening, on the fourth day of the trip, and a distress signal was sent.

From BBC • Aug. 28, 2024

Rescue boats were dispatched to the area after the vessel issued a distress signal before dawn and communications with it were lost, the minister said.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 15, 2024

I know all about hornets: If one sends out a distress signal, it can trigger a whole nest attack.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.