lifeboat

noun

life·​boat ˈlīf-ˌbōt How to pronounce lifeboat (audio)
: a sturdy buoyant boat (such as one carried by a ship) for use in an emergency and especially in saving lives at sea

Examples of lifeboat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For now, Europe is a safe harbor, not a lifeboat; but the direction of travel is clear. Bob Haber, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025 That kept the ship's lights on and make launching lifeboats easier. George Petras, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025 But according to the new documentary, the high-resolution scans corroborate the account of Titanic survivor Charles Lightoller, who said Murdoch was swept out to sea while preparing to launch a lifeboat. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025 As the story goes, eyewitnesses claimed to have seen an officer shoot one or two men during a rush for a lifeboat, and then shoot himself. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lifeboat

Word History

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lifeboat was in 1797

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Cite this Entry

“Lifeboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifeboat. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

lifeboat

noun
life·​boat -ˌbōt How to pronounce lifeboat (audio)
: a sturdy boat (as one carried by a ship) for use in an emergency and especially for saving lives at sea
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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