life-support system

noun

: an artificial or natural system that provides all or some of the items (such as oxygen, food, water, control of temperature and pressure, disposition of carbon dioxide and body wastes) necessary for maintaining life or health

Examples of life-support system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Crew members spent their first day in space making sure the life-support systems on the spacecraft worked and testing out Orion’s manual engine control. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026

The nearly 10-day mission will not only test the spacecraft's life-support systems and maneuverability, but conduct critical science ahead of future deep space missions to the lunar surface. —Brendan Byrne, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026

The concept dates back to the Apollo missions and helped save the lives of the astronauts onboard Apollo 13 in 1970 after an oxygen tank exploded, disabling its electrical and life-support system. —Briana Alvarado, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026

The crew will test Orion’s life-support systems and see how well the capsule protects against space radiation and other potential emergencies. —Josh Feldman, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for life-support system

• cryptosystem
• ecosystem
• intersystem
• multisystem
• photosystem
• subsystem

Kids Definition

life-support system

noun

: a system that provides all or some of the items (as oxygen, food, water, proper temperature and air pressure, elimination of carbon dioxide and body wastes) necessary for maintaining life or health

Medical Definition

life-support system

noun

: a system that provides all or some of the items (as oxygen, food, water, and disposition of carbon dioxide and body wastes) necessary for maintaining life or health: as

a

: one used to maintain the health of a person or animal in outer space, underwater, or in a mine

b

: one used to maintain the life of an injured or ill person unable to maintain certain physiological processes without artificial support