Mayday

1 of 2

communications signal

May·​day ˈmā-ˌdā How to pronounce Mayday (audio)
used as a distress call in international radio-telephone communications

May Day

2 of 2

noun

: May 1 celebrated as a springtime festival and in some countries as Labor Day

Word History

Etymology

Communications signal

French m'aider help me

First Known Use

Communications Signal

1927, in the meaning defined above

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Mayday was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near Mayday

Cite this Entry

“Mayday.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Mayday. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Mayday

1 of 2
May·​day mā-ˈdā How to pronounce Mayday (audio)
ˈmā-ˌdā
an international radio signal word used as a distress call

May Day

2 of 2 noun
: May 1 celebrated as a springtime festival and in some countries as Labor Day

More from Merriam-Webster on Mayday

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!