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
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 on the Web
Climate & Environment Colorado River in Crisis: A Times series on the Southwest’s shrinking water lifeline
April 14, 2023
Other farmers agree.
—
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2024
The ‘myth’ of social media as lifeline Prince Harry then raised the idea of social media having a positive—and even life-saving—side.
—Beth Greenfield, Fortune Well, 10 Oct. 2024
The quick drop was meant to give Elk Mills a lifeline as crews work to rebuild emergency roads where bridges went down.
—Kyla Guilfoil, NBC News, 4 Oct. 2024
For many who heard the record around the time of release, Saint Cloud became a lifeline—any history of this decade will remember March 2020 as a month that separated before and after.
—Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lifeline 
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2024
The ‘myth’ of social media as lifeline Prince Harry then raised the idea of social media having a positive—and even life-saving—side.
—Beth Greenfield, Fortune Well, 10 Oct. 2024
The quick drop was meant to give Elk Mills a lifeline as crews work to rebuild emergency roads where bridges went down.
—Kyla Guilfoil, NBC News, 4 Oct. 2024
For many who heard the record around the time of release, Saint Cloud became a lifeline—any history of this decade will remember March 2020 as a month that separated before and after.
—Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lifeline
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lifeline.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near lifeline
Cite this Entry
“Lifeline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifeline. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lifeline
noun
life·line
ˈlī-ˌflīn 
1
: a line persons may hang on to for safety or rescue
2
: something providing help or support that is needed for success or survival
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