lifeline

noun

life·​line ˈlīf-ˌlīn 

1

: a line (such as a rope) used for saving or preserving life: such as

a

: a line along the outer edge of the deck of a boat or ship

b

: a line used to keep contact with a person (such as a diver or astronaut) in a dangerous or potentially dangerous situation

2

: something regarded as indispensable for the maintaining or protection of life

Examples of lifeline in a Sentence

The river is the town's lifeline.

The new jobs were an economic lifeline for a city in need of help.

The radio was their lifeline to the outside world.

They threw a lifeline to the man overboard.

Recent Examples on the Web

Desalination plants are significant in the Middle East region, providing a key lifeline of drinking water and sustaining certain remote regions through droughts. — Monica Haider, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

What these students describe is a lifeline, made possible by a modest investment in them, their success and their future. — Jay A. Perman, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2026

Kylian Mbappe, France vs Argentina, 2022 (first goal) France are thrown a lifeline in the 80th minute at 2-0 down. — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026

According to Huang, this lifeline kept Nvidia from bankruptcy, allowing the company to develop the later Riva 128 and GeForce lines of graphics cards. — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lifeline

• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine
• caroline
• centerline

Kids Definition

lifeline

noun

life·​line ˈlī-ˌflīn 

1

: a line persons may hang on to for safety or rescue

2

: something providing help or support that is needed for success or survival