lifesaving

1 of 2

adjective

life·​sav·​ing ˈlīf-ˌsā-viŋ 

: designed for or used in saving lives

lifesaving drugs

lifesaving

2 of 2

noun

: the skill or practice of saving or protecting the lives especially of drowning persons

Examples of lifesaving in a Sentence

Noun

All lifeguards are trained in lifesaving.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Patients and health care advocates said the abrupt decision to halt U.S. funding for a lifesaving HIV program in Africa led to widespread confusion and worry that the virus would spread further. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 3 Feb. 2025

Regarding money management, few things are more lifesaving than an emergency fund. —Nia Bowers, Detroit Free Press, 28 Nov. 2024

Noun

One of those lifesaving rescues happened at Bluebird Beach in August, when Wave Watch responded to a 9-1-1 call for a possible cardiac arrest. —Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025

The restoration comes six months after Santa Clara County purchased the hospital from HCA Healthcare, one of the largest for-profit hospital chains in the nation, amid a fight over the closure of RMC’s Level II trauma center and other critical lifesaving services. —Grace Hase, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1598, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1861, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lifesaving

• autoclaving
• misbehaving
• behaving
• engraving
• enslaving
• repaving
• braving
• caving
• craving
• graving
• laving
• paving

Kids Definition

lifesaving

1 of 2 adjective

life·​sav·​ing ˈlīf-ˌsā-viŋ 

: designed for or used in saving lives

livesaving devices

lifesaving

2 of 2 noun

: the methods that can be used to save lives especially of drowning persons

Medical Definition

lifesaving

1 of 2 adjective

life·​sav·​ing ˈlīf-ˌsā-viŋ 

: designed for or used in saving lives

lifesaving drugs

lifesaving

2 of 2 noun

: the skill or practice of saving or protecting the lives especially of drowning persons