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

Chance first learned about the crash when Tanya’s iPhone issued an SOS alert. —Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026

With 170 straight weeks on the Billboard 200, SOS is following in its predecessor’s footsteps. —Annie Harrigan, Billboard, 17 Mar. 2026

Hosford, the security director at International SOS, suggests travelers stay flexible with travel dates, check fares at nearby airports and set alerts for price drops. —Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026

Hosford, the security director at International SOS, suggests travelers stay flexible with travel dates, check fares at nearby airports and set alerts for price drops. —Rio Yamat, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for SOS

• bless
• chess
• cress
• dress
• es
• ess
• esse
• fess
• guess
• jess
• less
• lesse

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