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
The Treasury secretary announced a lifeline Thursday that’s designed to pull the country’s financial markets out of deepening turmoil, and a close political ally out of a hole.
—
Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
For a landlocked country like Armenia, greater regional connectivity is a lifeline, and progress with Turkey, together with TRIPP, can transform Armenia's geography from a constraint into a strategic advantage, opening entirely new trade gateways for investors.
—Narek Mkrtchyan, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Quinn Glabicki | Reuters Spirit Airlines won approval for a $475 million lifeline and a $150 million payment from its biggest aircraft lessor in court on Friday, as the struggling budget airline races to stabilize itself after its second bankruptcy since November.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Writing her debut novel, Promise, became a lifeline.
—Essence, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lifeline
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Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
For a landlocked country like Armenia, greater regional connectivity is a lifeline, and progress with Turkey, together with TRIPP, can transform Armenia's geography from a constraint into a strategic advantage, opening entirely new trade gateways for investors.
—Narek Mkrtchyan, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Quinn Glabicki | Reuters Spirit Airlines won approval for a $475 million lifeline and a $150 million payment from its biggest aircraft lessor in court on Friday, as the struggling budget airline races to stabilize itself after its second bankruptcy since November.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Writing her debut novel, Promise, became a lifeline.
—Essence, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lifeline
Cite this Entry
“Lifeline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifeline. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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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