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

The 10-day mission, which retraces the 2022 flight of the uncrewed Artemis 1, will test life-support systems. —IEEE Spectrum, 23 Dec. 2023

Japan's government has committed to providing the life-support system for the Gateway's international habitation module, along with resupply services to deliver cargo to Gateway. —Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 21 Dec. 2023

It is slated to launch in 2029 with Artemis V. Dettmann described several major challenges in developing the ESPRIT, including devising a way to refuel the electric propulsion systems, designing deployable radiators, and devising environmental-control and life-support systems. —IEEE Spectrum, 23 Dec. 2023

But now actor Mark Ruffalo is on a mission to preserve the church and save its place as a life-support system for the community. —Jada Clarke, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2023

Above the hatch is a backpack with life-support systems. —Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2023

The crew needs to make sure all life-support systems are running smoothly and interactions with onboard automation systems are going well. —Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 13 Mar. 2023

During the years the report analyzed, hemodialysis patients were 100 times more likely to get S. aureus bloodstream infections than adults not on dialysis, highlighting the potential dangers of what is, for many, a life-support system once their kidneys lose function. —Isabella Cueto, STAT, 6 Feb. 2023

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the placenta is an organ that’s formed during pregnancy that functions as a life-support system for the baby. —Korin Miller, Health.com, 18 Sep. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

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