mayday
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.”
How to use mayday
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe emergency word pilots and ship crews shout or radio when they're in serious trouble.
Only used for genuine life-threatening emergencies, never as a general "help" — it triggers an official emergency response.
Word forms
maydays plural
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.
Rhymes for mayday
See all rhymes for mayday →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.