mayday

See also: May Day

Translingual

Etymology

From French m'aider, short for Venez m'aider! or Viens m'aider! (“Come help me!”).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈmeɪ.deɪ/
  • (file)
  • Audio (AU)(file)

Interjection

mayday

  1. (radio) emergency, need assistance
    • 2004, Ken Wishaw, Helicopter Rescue: The true story of Australia's first full-time chopper doctor, page 82:
      'Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!' came the call.

Usage notes

When making a distress call, mayday is said three times in succession (mayday, mayday, mayday) to signal that the message is an actual distress signal, as opposed to a message about a mayday signal.

Synonyms

Translations

The call mayday is the international standard emergency call. However, many local variations also exist.

See also

English
WOTD – 1 May 2010

Alternative forms

Pronunciation
  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /ˈmeɪ.deɪ/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Audio (AU)(file)
  • Rhymes: -eɪdeɪ

Noun

mayday (plural maydays)

  1. An international distress signal used by shipping and aircraft.
    • 2002, Clive Cussler, Valhalla Rising, page 47:
      "Odd that she hasn't sent out a Mayday."
      "That is curious. Her radio must be disabled."

Translations

See also
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