noun

mayday

MAY-day

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Mayday (noun) means an international radio distress call used by ships and aircraft in serious danger. Example: “The pilot radioed a mayday moments before the engine failed.”

noun

An international radio distress call used by ships and aircraft in serious danger.

""Odd that she hasn't sent out a Mayday." "That is curious. Her radio must be disabled."" — Clive Cussler, Valhalla Rising (2002)

"The pilot radioed a mayday moments before the engine failed."

"Coast guard crews scrambled the instant they heard the mayday call."

How to use mayday

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe emergency word pilots and ship crews shout or radio when they're in serious trouble.

Common mistake

Only used for genuine life-threatening emergencies, never as a general "help" — it triggers an official emergency response.

Common pairings

send a mayday mayday call mayday signal

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: maydays

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The pilot radioed a _____ moments before the engine failed.

Etymology

Coined in the 1920s by a radio officer at Croydon Airport, based on the French phrase "venez m'aider" ("come help me"), shortened to "m'aider" and respelled "mayday" for clear radio pronunciation.

Origin: French · First attested 1920

Class of 1920 mayday joined the language around 1920.

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Rhymes for mayday

ay may day say ray hay lay pay jay way yay nay

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Frequently asked questions

What does “mayday” mean?

The word “mayday” means an international radio distress call used by ships and aircraft in serious danger. In plain terms, the emergency word pilots and ship crews shout or radio when they're in serious trouble.

How do you pronounce “mayday”?

“Mayday” is pronounced MAY-day (/ˈmeɪ̯deɪ̯/ in IPA).

How do you use “mayday” in a sentence?

Here is “mayday” used in a sentence: “The pilot radioed a mayday moments before the engine failed.”

What part of speech is “mayday”?

“Mayday” is a noun.

Where does the word “mayday” come from?

The word “mayday” dates back to around 1920 and comes from French. Coined in the 1920s by a radio officer at Croydon Airport, based on the French phrase "venez m'aider" ("come help me"), shortened to "m'aider" and respelled "mayday" for clear radio pronunciation.