life raft

American  

noun

1. a raft, often inflatable, for use in emergencies, as when a ship must be abandoned or when a plane is downed at sea.

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life raft British  

noun

1. a raft for emergency use at sea

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Etymology

Origin of life raft

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

What followed was an hours-long ordeal on a life raft, as the pilot and the passengers waited for rescuers to find them.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

Carlson can sense a sinking ship, and he is jumping into a life raft.

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2026

Sajili clung to a small part of the boat that stayed above the waterline until the last possible moment, before letting go and swimming towards a life raft.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

I’m like the human life raft that everyone can come to when they need a little break.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025

It’s only a second before Esme reaches out and draws her in like she’s pulling her into a life raft.

From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Related Words

• lifeboat
• rowboat
• skiff