life raft

noun

1. a raft, often inflatable, for use in emergencies, as when a ship must be abandoned or when a plane is downed at sea.

life raft

noun

1. a raft for emergency use at sea

Word History and Origins

Origin of life raft¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Military officials said rescuers "battled" currents and winds that pushed life rafts and sea boats towards the reefs, and swells made rescue efforts "challenging".

From BBC

Only five people managed to get into an inflatable life raft.

From BBC

All but seven of the 22 passengers of the Bayesian had scrambled into a life raft as the yacht began to capsize.

From BBC

Mr Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, is among the 15 people rescued, when they scrambled into a life raft and set off a flare, that drew the attention of another boat captain.

From BBC

That life raft was carrying 15 survivors, three of whom were "heavily injured", he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• lifeboat
• rowboat
• skiff