Mayday
1 of 2communications signal
May·day
ˈmā-ˌdā 
—used as a distress call in international radio-telephone communications
: May 1 celebrated as a springtime festival and in some countries as Labor Day
Examples of Mayday in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
May Day demonstrations are typically robust in union-friendly Chicago.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Every year, hundreds if not thousands of Chicagoans participate in May Day protests.
—Lauren Victory, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
The Los Angeles May Day Coalition, made up of more than 50 organizations, is calling for people to join in on a march on International Workers’ Day on May 1.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Annually, on Mogen and Kernodle’s birthdays — designated Maddie May Day and Xanapalooza — the foundation encourages people to be kind to others and spend time with loved ones, in remembrance.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
Among them is the wondrous Grace Jones as May Day, the villain Max Zorin’s (Christopher Walken) henchwoman and lover (and an absolute fashion icon, to boot).
—Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026
The protest was organized in collaboration with May Day Strong, a coalition of activists that generally mobilizes for workers’ rights.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
Violence occurred during Seattle May Day protests in 2016, with anarchist groups and other demonstrators clashing with police.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
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Noun
In a Wednesday presentation to the union’s House of Delegates, which was obtained by the Tribune, CTU officials encouraged members to bring students on field trips to youth teach-ins or to the citywide May Day rally, or host educational civic events at schools.
—Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
May Day demonstrations are typically robust in union-friendly Chicago.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Every year, hundreds if not thousands of Chicagoans participate in May Day protests.
—Lauren Victory, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
The Los Angeles May Day Coalition, made up of more than 50 organizations, is calling for people to join in on a march on International Workers’ Day on May 1.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Annually, on Mogen and Kernodle’s birthdays — designated Maddie May Day and Xanapalooza — the foundation encourages people to be kind to others and spend time with loved ones, in remembrance.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
Among them is the wondrous Grace Jones as May Day, the villain Max Zorin’s (Christopher Walken) henchwoman and lover (and an absolute fashion icon, to boot).
—Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026
The protest was organized in collaboration with May Day Strong, a coalition of activists that generally mobilizes for workers’ rights.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
Violence occurred during Seattle May Day protests in 2016, with anarchist groups and other demonstrators clashing with police.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mayday.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Mayday. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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