: 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
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In 1915, La Follette pushed through the Seaman’s Act, which required ships to carry enough lifeboats for all passengers and crew.
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Time, 16 July 2025
This includes inspecting lifeboats, overhauling fire systems, servicing engines, and checking the hull for wear and tear.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
The collision damaged Nantes’ lifeboats, which meant the crew were unable to escape.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Irish author Shane Leslie, a passenger on the Oceanic, recalled the discovery of the lifeboat, which was first spotted roughly two miles off the liner’s starboard bow.
—Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lifeboat
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Time, 16 July 2025
This includes inspecting lifeboats, overhauling fire systems, servicing engines, and checking the hull for wear and tear.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
The collision damaged Nantes’ lifeboats, which meant the crew were unable to escape.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Irish author Shane Leslie, a passenger on the Oceanic, recalled the discovery of the lifeboat, which was first spotted roughly two miles off the liner’s starboard bow.
—Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lifeboat
Cite this Entry
“Lifeboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifeboat. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lifeboat
noun
life·boat
-ˌbōt 
: a sturdy boat (as one carried by a ship) for use in an emergency and especially for saving lives at sea
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