SOS was introduced for emergency maritime radio communication using Morse code. Radio (initially known as "wireless telegraphy") was developed in the late 1890s, and was quickly recognized as an important aid to maritime communication.

Apr 22, 2025 · SOS is recognized internationally, and it is used by ships and aircraft to summon assistance when in danger. SOS has a related meaning when it appears on wireless devices, as it indicates that the user has lost access to the cellular network and can only make emergency calls.

Mar 25, 2024 · You know it’s a distress signal, but what does “SOS” actually stand for? A lot of people think it’s an abbreviation for “save our souls” or “save our ship.”

Jul 12, 2024 · The letters SOS do not stand for anything specific; they were chosen for their simplicity and clarity in Morse code. Adopted as the official international distress signal in 1908, SOS replaced various codes used by different countries for emergency situations.

The meaning of SOS is an internationally recognized signal of distress in radio code - - - used especially by ships calling for help.

Mar 28, 2025 · According to Merriam-Webster, SOS is “an internationally recognized signal of distress in radio code, used especially by ships calling for help.” But in non-maritime contexts, the dictionary says...

SOS is the commonly used description for the international Morse code distress signal (· · · — — — · · ·). This distress signal was first adopted by the German government in radio regulations. The letters were chosen because they are easily transmitted in the Morse code.

The signal became well-known enough that SOS came to be used as an informal term for any call for help or notification that there is an emergency, as in Send an SOS to the board letting them …

(Definition of SOS from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

What is the Full Form of SOS. The term "SOS" is universally recognized as a signal for help in emergency situations. Interestingly, SOS doesn't have a specific SOS full form. It is a Morse code sequence, specifically chosen for its simplicity and ease of recognition.