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

Arkansas is 10th in strength of schedule; Mississippi State seventh and KU, which was awarded the 15th of 16 host sites, 60th in SOS. —Gary Bedore may 26, Kansas City Star, 26 May 2026

Sasaki answered his own SOS, with some help from his defense. —Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026

Complete your summer skin care routine with Naturium’s Phyto-Glow Lip Balm SPF 45 and Tower 28’s SOS Hypochlorous Acid Rescue Facial Spray. —Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 24 May 2026

Transmission messages are a big theme throughout the season, because Mother is broadcasting this message all the time that only certain people can hear, her SOS help signal. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 22 May 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