lifeline

play

noun life·line \ ˈlīf-ˌlīn \

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

The struggling audio-hosting startup SoundCloud has secured a financial lifeline, with two investors putting up almost $170 million to help the company stay afloat, according to Billboard.

— timothy b. lee, Ars Technica, "Investors rescue embattled SoundCloud with $170 million lifeline," 11 Aug. 2017
The program represents a lifeline to communities across the nation, including in Michigan, which is slated to receive $111.2 million this year, including $31 million the state will use to help improve infrastructure projects throughout the state.

— kathleen gray, Detroit Free Press, "State, U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop highlight benefits of community development block grants," 9 Aug. 2017
Even though senior Republican senator Orrin Hatch has reached the conclusion that his colleagues are too divided to pass a partisan health-care bill, Graham-Cassidy offers a bit of a psychological lifeline.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "The GOP’s Latest Health Care Gambit," 1 Aug. 2017
Like most teens, Doherty's cell phone is a lifeline to a still-busy social life.

— bob warren, NOLA.com, "I-10 lane closures near La.-Miss. line coming this weekend," 18 July 2017
President Trump, who is in Poland on the first stop on a trip that will take him to the G20 summit in Germany this week -- is now looking at ways to cut off North Korea's financial lifeline without Beijing's help, CBS News' Margaret Brennan reports.

— CBS News, "Panetta: "No question" threshold crossed in N. Koreans' ability to develop ICBM," 5 July 2017
Parents like Beth Miller say ride-sharing services save time and can be a lifeline.

— erin ben-moche, chicagotribune.com, "Why parents put faith in Uber, Lyft," 30 June 2017
BRUSSELS—Google’s smaller rivals see a lifeline in the European Union’s decision to fine the Alphabet Inc. company €2.4 billion ($2.7 billion) and order the search giant to remake its shopping service.

— natalia drozdiak, WSJ, "Google Rivals Cheer EU Antitrust Ruling—But Will It Help?," 28 June 2017
Borges has railed against the transaction since it was revealed late last month, saying that Wall Street banks were providing a lifeline to a despotic regime desperate for cash by purchasing national assets at fire-sale prices.

— jose enrique arrioja, Bloomberg.com, "Venezuela Lawmaker Asks SEC to Probe Goldman's ‘Hunger Bonds’ Deal," 22 June 2017

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

play

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)

Learn More about lifeline

See words that rhyme with lifeline Nglish: Translation of lifeline for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up lifeline? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

lifeline

Definition of lifeline

Examples of lifeline in a Sentence

Recent Examples of lifeline from the Web

First Known Use of lifeline

LIFELINE Defined for English Language Learners

lifeline

Definition of lifeline for English Language Learners

Learn More about lifeline

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

toothsome

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Let's Talk 'Tea'

8 Words and Phrases from Boxing and Wrestling

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

True or False?

Add Diction

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066

lifeline

Definition of lifeline

Read the Latest from M-W

Examples of lifeline in a Sentence

Recent Examples of lifeline from the Web

First Known Use of lifeline

LIFELINE Defined for English Language Learners

lifeline

Definition of lifeline for English Language Learners

Learn More about lifeline

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066