life preserver

noun

1

: a device (such as a life jacket or life buoy) designed to save a person from drowning by providing buoyancy in water

2

chiefly British : blackjack sense 2

Examples of life preserver in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, the sleek production design, symphonic score and performances from a killer ensemble act as a life preserver, making the shenanigans at sea a little less choppy. —Courtney Howard, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025

Swift's face is framed by a life preserver as dozens of dancers holding white floating devices dance. —Bryan West, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025

Two days after Helsley was sent to the New York Mets for prospects, Svanson got thrown into the deep end without a life preserver in San Diego. —Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

Short of your life preserver, your water bottle may be the worst thing to forget, even one day out on the river, where the sun’s rays are unforgivable. —Anna Fiorentino, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for life preserver

• fervor
• fervour
• server
• observer

Kids Definition

life preserver

noun

: a device designed to save a person from drowning by holding up the body while in the water