distress signal
noun
: a message that one is in danger
The pilot sent out a distress signal before the plane crashed.
Examples of distress signal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Upon receiving the distress signal, the hypothalamus activates the sympathetic nervous system by sending signals through autonomic nerves to the adrenal glands.
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Finnian Kelly, TIME, 8 July 2024
When there is a conflict between certain stimuli — what the eyes are seeing, for example, with what the body is feeling — equilibrium is disrupted and the vestibular system sends a distress signal to the brain, including to its vomiting center.
—Marlene Cimons, Washington Post, 29 June 2024
Flags should always hang freely but never with the stars down, except as a distress signal.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 13 June 2024
The ship’s captain blew a distress signal to alert nearby vessels and tried to slow the influx of water.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for distress signal 
Finnian Kelly, TIME, 8 July 2024
When there is a conflict between certain stimuli — what the eyes are seeing, for example, with what the body is feeling — equilibrium is disrupted and the vestibular system sends a distress signal to the brain, including to its vomiting center.
—Marlene Cimons, Washington Post, 29 June 2024
Flags should always hang freely but never with the stars down, except as a distress signal.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 13 June 2024
The ship’s captain blew a distress signal to alert nearby vessels and tried to slow the influx of water.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for distress signal
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'distress signal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near distress signal
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“Distress signal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distress%20signal. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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