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Mayday

American  
[mey-dey] / ˈmeɪˌdeɪ /

noun

  1. the international radiotelephone distress signal, used by ships and aircraft.


Mayday British  
/ ˈmeɪˌdeɪ /

noun

  1. the international radiotelephone distress signal

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Mayday

First recorded in 1925–30; from French (venez) m'aider “(come) help me,” contraction of m(e) “me” ( me ( def. ) ) aider “to help” ( aid ( def. ) )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He served as a naval officer and as deputy undersecretary of the Navy and is the author of “Mayday” and “Seablindness.”

From The Wall Street Journal

In late January, after Mayday countersued in a federal court in New York, that court temporarily blocked South Dakota’s actions.

From Salon

“In that case,” a pilot responded, “we declare emergency: Mayday. Mayday, Mayday.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Mayday, which was formed in 1997, is one of the most popular bands in the Chinese-speaking world - at one point being described as the "Beatles of Asia" by the music press.

From BBC

About two minutes later, the pilot called in a Mayday and air traffic command gave permission for the plane to land from the opposite direction, the official said.

From BBC