In Maritime and Aircraft terms, distress is defined as "grave and imminent danger to life or person or vessel or aircraft, needing immediate assistance". Such a state is indicated by a mayday radio call.
Distress is also used by Search and Rescue services to describe targets in adverse or critical conditions.
Distress can also refer to the process whereby materials are worn down by time and natural forces.
Distressing in woodworking and the decorative arts is the art of making furniture and household objects look old.
In law, distress, or distraint, is the act of seizing goods to compel payment, or the goods thus seized.
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