Definition of lifeline
1 : a line (such as a rope) used for saving or preserving life: such asa : a line along the outer edge of the deck of a boat or shipb : 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
From the M-W Editors
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
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Wrestling was a major lifeline for Spoon, who met many of his longtime friends through the program.
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Keeping it close For a developing fetus, the umbilical cord is a lifeline, with the placenta sending nutrients and taking up waste through the pulsing connection.
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Stand for Children Illinois, a group that has been advocating for the surcharge's removal, said federal funds are a lifeline for needier students and schools that are under-resourced.
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Venezuela’s opposition has been urging Wall Street banks not to throw a financial lifeline to Maduro, who’s faced almost two months of public protests while cutting imports of food and medicine to conserve cash and continue bond payments.
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Israel supplies Gaza with limited supplies of electricity and other lifelines.
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Moonlight’ prove there is a huge opportunity to not only tell LGBTQ stories worthy of Oscar gold, but to open the hearts and minds of audiences here and around the world in places where these stories can be a lifeline to the people who need it most.
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Late last year, Iran abruptly suspended oil deliveries, which have become a lifeline for Syria.
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Footed in mud strata, with giant shock absorbing fuses embedded underneath the roadway, the bridge is designed to be a seismic neutralizer and provide a lifeline into San Francisco for emergency services even when the surrounding area is flattened.
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.
1700
First Known Use of lifeline
1700
LIFELINE Defined for English Language Learners
lifeline
playDefinition of lifeline for English Language Learners
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: something which provides help or support that is needed for success or survival
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: a rope used for saving the life of someone (such as someone who has fallen into water)
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