SOS

noun

ˌes-(ˌ)ō-ˈes 

1

: an internationally recognized signal of distress in radio code ‧ ‧ ‧ - - - ‧ ‧ ‧ used especially by ships calling for help

2

: a call or request for help or rescue

Examples of SOS in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Plus, there’s fall detection, crash detection, and emergency SOS. —Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 1 Jan. 2025

American’s logo was an upside-down American flag—both an SOS signal of distress and a statement of opposition, depending on who’s using it. —Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024

The hitmaker is currently experiencing a chart resurgence as the deluxe edition of her 2022 album, SOS, returned to No. 1 on the Billboard 200. —Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 31 Dec. 2024

According to Luminate, the singer’s SOS Deluxe: LANA moved 178,000 album-equivalent units in its first week on the chart, with 105,000 of those sales attributed to songs included on the album. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

SOS

noun

ˌes-(ˌ)ō-ˈes 

ˌes-ə-ˈwes

1

: an international radio code distress signal used by ships and aircraft calling for help

2

: a call for help

Medical Definition

SOS

abbreviation

if occasion require; if necessary

—used in writing prescriptions

Etymology

Latin si opus sit