lifeboat

noun

life·​boat ˈlīf-ˌbōt How to pronounce lifeboat (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Once all the lifeboats were gone, Gracie then helped the crew retrieve several collapsible lifeboats. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025 The digital evidence indicates he was swept out to sea while attempting to launch one last lifeboat, which matches the account of survivor and second officer Charles Lightoller. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2025 Thirty-five engineers went down shoveling coal into the boilers to keep the deck lit where lifeboats were being launched and to keep the wireless room powered. Sean Kingsley, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2025 The Princess of Wales has had plenty of practice with this in the past, as her first official engagement with Prince William in February 2011 was pouring champagne on a lifeboat in Wales a few months before their royal wedding, marking her first duty in a working royal role. Janine Henni, People.com, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for lifeboat

Word History

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lifeboat was in 1797

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Cite this Entry

“Lifeboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifeboat. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

lifeboat

noun
life·​boat -ˌbōt How to pronounce lifeboat (audio)
: a sturdy boat (as one carried by a ship) for use in an emergency and especially for saving lives at sea
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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