lifeboat

[ lahyf-boht ]

noun

1. a double-ended ship's boat, constructed, mounted, and provisioned so as to be readily able to rescue and maintain persons from a sinking vessel.
2. a similarly constructed boat used by shore-based rescue services.

lifeboat

/ ˈlaɪfˌbəʊt /

noun

1. a boat, propelled by oars or a motor, used for rescuing people at sea, escaping from a sinking ship, etc
2. informal.
   a fund set up by the dealers in a market to rescue any member who may become insolvent as a result of a collapse in market prices

Word History and Origins

Origin of lifeboat¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; life + boat

Example Sentences

He went on to model the Tenby lifeboat station, in Pembrokeshire, which had “incredible traction”, and began looking further afield, inspired by his love for Arsenal football team.

From BBC

A plane from Channel Islands Air Search was sent to the scene from Guernsey, along with lifeboat crews from Alderney and France and the French helicopter crew based near Cherbourg.

From BBC

All 75 people on board were evacuated onto lifeboats and rescued early on Sunday, New Zealand's Defence Force said in a statement.

From BBC

All 75 people on board were evacuated onto lifeboats and rescued early on Sunday, according to New Zealand's Defence Force said in a statement.

From BBC

Of the 22 passengers and crew on the yacht, 15 managed to escape on to a lifeboat, including a one-year-old and Mr Lynch's wife Angela Bacares.

From BBC

Related Words

• barge
• canoe
• catamaran
• craft
• dinghy
• gondola
• raft
• sailboat
• schooner
• ship
• yacht