: a sturdy buoyant boat (such as one carried by a ship) for use in an emergency and especially in saving lives at sea
Examples of lifeboat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The 14 surviving crew members evacuated on a lifeboat, and were later picked up by the Salvamar Draco, a Spanish rescue boat.
—
Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
This population had been essentially isolated there since 2013, when biologists removed some eggs to create the lifeboat population, although a small number of additional eggs from the wild have been collected over the years to try to maintain the genetic connection.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 7 May 2026
Norwegian cruise ship man overboard A passenger told CBS News Boston that a ship-wide man overboard announcement was issued, and lifeboats were launched.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
The lifeboat later became the subject of controversy after its occupants did not return to rescue others in the water.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lifeboat
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Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
This population had been essentially isolated there since 2013, when biologists removed some eggs to create the lifeboat population, although a small number of additional eggs from the wild have been collected over the years to try to maintain the genetic connection.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 7 May 2026
Norwegian cruise ship man overboard A passenger told CBS News Boston that a ship-wide man overboard announcement was issued, and lifeboats were launched.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
The lifeboat later became the subject of controversy after its occupants did not return to rescue others in the water.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lifeboat
Cite this Entry
“Lifeboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifeboat. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lifeboat
noun
life·boat
-ˌbōt 
: a sturdy boat (as one carried by a ship) for use in an emergency and especially for saving lives at sea
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