lifeline

noun life·line \ ˈlīf-ˌlīn \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of lifeline

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

See lifeline defined for English-language learners

See lifeline defined for kids

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 of lifeline from the Web

One hears that some bikes are operated and parked with the care of a runaway toddler, impeding (and endangering) pedestrians while frustrating merchants for whom free-flowing sidewalks are lifelines.

— logan jenkins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Great bike bloom is a performance art form," 5 Apr. 2018
Tom Barrack’s Colony Capital soon dropped plans to provide a cash infusion, and Fortress Investment Group LLC’s negotiations to provide a $35 million lifeline were said to end.

— tiffany kary, Bloomberg.com, "Weinstein Co. Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy," 20 Mar. 2018
Since Weinstein's departure, Tom Barrack's Colony Capital has dropped plans to make a cash infusion, and Fortress Investment Group LLC's negotiations to provide a $35 million lifeline were said to end.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Weinstein Co. files bankruptcy with plan to sell film assets," 20 Mar. 2018
Us prepared its chapter 11 filing, hoping that a $3.1 billion bankruptcy loan would be the lifeline to keep vendor and landlord demands at bay.

— lillian rizzo, WSJ, "Toys ‘R’ Us Liquidation Could Leave Vendors Without Payment," 15 Mar. 2018
For the families without the means to afford private education, public schools are a vital lifeline for assisting children for whom good grades and scholarships are most necessary.

— lincoln anthony blades, Teen Vogue, "Instead of Arming Teachers, Let's Pay Them What They're Worth," 2 Mar. 2018
It is overseen by the Oregon Military Department and runs a statewide disaster preparedness network meant to be Oregonians' lifeline in the event of a catastrophe or terrorism.

— allan brettman, OregonLive.com, "Scappoose bank robber jumps counter, gets cash, witnesses tell police," 30 Jan. 2018
Severing that digital lifeline to family and friends and abandoning their extensive archive of treasured moments is unthinkable.

— USA TODAY, "Why it's so hard to #DeleteFacebook," 28 Mar. 2018
As someone who regards the literary arts as her lifeline, Murphy strives to expose her students to the power and beauty of words.

— Philly.com, "Lindback Foundation 2018 distinguished Philadelphia teachers," 27 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lifeline.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of lifeline

1700

LIFELINE Defined for English Language Learners

lifeline

noun

Definition of lifeline for English Language Learners

: something which provides help or support that is needed for success or survival
: a rope used for saving the life of someone (such as someone who has fallen into water)