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SOS
noun
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
Denali park rangers communicated with the group of climbers for several hours after receiving the SOS through InReach, a portable device that uses satellite to send messages and has a GPS system that allows recipients to see its location.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 30 May 2024
The Connecticut man first sent an SOS using an electronic device in the White Mountains on Sunday, May 26, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department said in a May 26 news release.
—Daniella Segura, Miami Herald, 28 May 2024
Plus, it can also be used for illumination or as an SOS strobe light.
—Mia Huelsbeck, Peoplemag, 18 May 2024
Boyd has raised over $20,000 in campaign donations, according to the Idaho SOS campaign finance portal.
—Rachel Spacek, Idaho Statesman, 15 May 2024
Notably, half of SOS franchise owners have personal connections to autism, enhancing their commitment to quality and community engagement through free social events for affected families.
—Nick Kasmik, USA TODAY, 10 May 2024
This is not a story of a pilot having visions; the SOS sign was still there.
—Leyton Cassidy, Longreads, 7 May 2024
Swift’s record-breaking 11th studio album retains top spot on the ARIA Chart, published Friday, May, 3, ahead of SZA’s SOS, which is boosted by the U.S. R&B star’s Australian arena tour which wrapped earlier in the week.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 3 May 2024
Sure enough, the team gets Parker’s SOS text and find his gun, badge, and cell phone at the hospital.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 23 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'SOS.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1910, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Articles Related to SOS
Dictionary Entries Near SOS
Cite this Entry
“SOS.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/SOS. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on SOS
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about SOS
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