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

Despite lifesaving efforts, the person was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. —Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026

New Castle County Police Linda Stevenson was found unresponsive in the living room and died despite lifesaving measures by officers at the scene. —Gary Grumbach, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026

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