lifeguard

[ lahyf-gahrd ]

noun

1. an expert swimmer employed, as at a beach or pool, to protect bathers from drowning or other accidents and dangers.

verb (used without object)

1. to work as a lifeguard.

lifeguard

/ ˈlaɪfˌɡɑːd /

noun

1. a person present at a beach or pool to guard people against the risk of drowning Also calledlife-saver

Word History and Origins

Origin of lifeguard¹

First recorded in 1640–50; life + guard

Example Sentences

Because there are no lifeguards or staff required to operate a public pool.

From Washington Post

The city estimates it costs around $450,000 annually to pay for lifeguards and staff necessary to operate the public pool.

From Washington Post

North Lake has a swimming area, beach, and lifeguard, plus canoe and kayak rentals.

From Outside Online

I tried to reach lifeguard officials Monday but they didn’t immediately answer their phone or email.

From Voice of San Diego

The funds he used to do it included money he had earned working as a lifeguard.

From Time

The Babe showed up, too, arriving late, as usual, and looking tanned as a lifeguard.

From The Daily Beast

Punctuating the sand from end to end, postos are the permanent lifeguard stands that act like beacons.

From The Daily Beast

He was a pothead, a devotee of hip hop, a lifeguard, a high school wrestler, an aspiring dentist.

From The Daily Beast

He was a pothead, a devotee of hip-hop, a lifeguard, a high-school wrestler, an aspiring dentist.

From The Daily Beast

She also loved holidays, and had planned on being a zombie lifeguard on Halloween.

From The Daily Beast

So he dismissed them to Westminster under the escort of his own lifeguard.

From Project Gutenberg

And, in any case, there was a lifeguard in a boat just off shore and another patrolling the sands.

From Project Gutenberg

The raft chanced to be deserted, nor were there any swimmers between her and the boat of the lifeguard beyond the raft.

From Project Gutenberg

She thought the lifeguard was hurrying to the raft to meet Amy and herself if they won the race.

From Project Gutenberg

The lifeguard drove his boat around the end of the raft toward the gray, sail-like object which had so startled them all.

From Project Gutenberg