lifeboat

noun

life·​boat ˈlīf-ˌbōt How to pronounce lifeboat (audio)
: a sturdy buoyant boat (such as one carried by a ship) for use in an emergency and especially in saving lives at sea

Examples of lifeboat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the harrowing footage, the crew members lift Seren out of the sea and into a lifeboat before transporting her back to the shore to be reunited with her owner. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025 The Olympic, nearly identical to the Titanic, faced its own challenges following the disaster, including a mutiny among crew members concerned about the lack of lifeboats. Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025 Jelly found a lifeboat and decided to make his stand there. Joel Sams, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2025 Stuck in a lifeboat for nearly three weeks, the four survivors ultimately resorted to devouring one of their boatmates in order to survive. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for lifeboat 

Word History

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lifeboat was in 1797

Dictionary Entries Near lifeboat

Cite this Entry

“Lifeboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifeboat. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

lifeboat

noun
life·​boat -ˌbōt How to pronounce lifeboat (audio)
: a sturdy boat (as one carried by a ship) for use in an emergency and especially for saving lives at sea
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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