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

Booking an early flight can also help, says Tyler Hosford, security director at risk mitigation company International SOS. —Rio Yamat, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025

This summer, after initially targeting Punch, the president of SZA’s label TDE, Minaj dissed SZA herself on X, mocking her physical appearance, questioning her level of success, and accusing her of manipulating charts with her release of Lana, the deluxe version of 2022’s SOS. —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025

But shortly after, Minaj threw barbs as SZA’s career, criticizing her decision to re-release her 2022 album SOS as the deluxe version Lana last year. —Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025

Leaving essential features like Find My iPhone or Emergency Calls & SOS enabled under System Services ensures your phone can still help locate or protect you if it's lost, even with other location options turned off. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025

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