life preserver

noun

1. a buoyant jacket, belt, or other like device for keeping a person afloat.
2. British Slang. a weapon, especially a short stick with a weighted head; blackjack.

life preserver

noun

1. a club or bludgeon, esp one kept for self-defence
2. a life belt or life jacket

Word History and Origins

Origin of life preserver¹

First recorded in 1630–40

Example Sentences

A great and terrible storm occurred in the region that night, and neither man was heard from again until the body of Newton Grimwood washed up on the banks of Lake Michigan in August, still wearing a life preserver with the notes for his article in his pocket.

From Salon

Saturday night was payback time, with left-hander Alex Vesia throwing Treinen a life preserver after Treinen yielded a run, gave up two more singles and hit a batter and pushed his pitch count to 33 as the Dodgers moved perilously close to blowing a three-run lead in Game 2 of the World Series.

From Los Angeles Times

Landon Knack has been a human life preserver for the Dodgers, an unsung rookie right-hander who has helped keep the rotation afloat when seas get a little rough.

From Los Angeles Times

Maybe, but Celine Dion wasn’t about to throw them a life preserver.

From Los Angeles Times

Mrs. Cranston, bigger than he, in a gigantic feathered hat, her squirrel-skin cloak, and over that her life preserver, stretched to its limits.

From Literature

Related Words

• life jacket
• life vest