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

See Examples For:

life raft

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

Dressing her in new clothes, they placed her on a mattress and steered the makeshift life raft toward medical help.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2024

“Oh yeah, and inventors of the life raft, the bullet proof vest, and residential solar heating? Women,” I say.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio

Related Words

• lifeboat
• rowboat
• skiff