Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Jump To:
  • Jaws of Life
    Jaws of Life
    a heavy-duty tool that can cut through metal or pry sections of it apart: used especially to free people trapped in wrecked vehicles.
  • jaws of life
    jaws of life
    plural noun
    (functioning as singular) powerful shears used for cutting a vehicle open after a collision

Jaws of Life

American  
Trademark.
  1. a heavy-duty tool that can cut through metal or pry sections of it apart: used especially to free people trapped in wrecked vehicles.


jaws of life British  

plural noun

  1. (functioning as singular) powerful shears used for cutting a vehicle open after a collision

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Firefighters were responding to a call when someone took the Jaws of Life from their equipment, officials said.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 27, 2024

But Woods won’t say what led to his horrific crash Feb. 23 in which county firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life to remove him from his vehicle.

From Washington Post Dec. 10, 2021

Firefighters used the Jaws of Life, a tool normally employed to cut open smashed vehicles, to free the man.

From Washington Times Mar. 1, 2020

Edwards say he believes his department can bill victim’s insurance companies for use of the Jaws of Life, and the fee will help maintain the tool.

From Seattle Times Dec. 20, 2017

Sheen also reportedly wants to title his autobiography Apocalypse Me: The Jaws of Life.

From Time Mar. 30, 2011

Since 2019, she said, it has given roughly $5 million to the department for items including Pelotons, jaws of life, refrigerators and mechanical CPR devices.

From Los Angeles Times Nov. 21, 2023

Brugger added that first responders used the "jaws of life" to rescue them from the car.

From Fox News Feb. 27, 2019

A rescue dog led the way to her location, and firefighters used the jaws of life to cut through the wreckage to save her.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 10, 2018

Authorities pulled Jill Voyles out of the wreckage using a hydraulic tool called the "jaws of life," authorities said.

From Reuters Jul. 25, 2011

I envision a tool similar to the jaws of life used by Fire and Rescue workers to pull apart cars.

From New York Times Jun. 3, 2010

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training