lifeboat

American  

[lahyf-boht] / ˈlaɪfˌboʊt /

noun

1. a double-ended ship's boat, constructed, mounted, and provisioned so as to be readily able to rescue and maintain persons from a sinking vessel.

2. a similarly constructed boat used by shore-based rescue services.

---

lifeboat British  

/ ˈlaɪfˌbəʊt /

noun

1. a boat, propelled by oars or a motor, used for rescuing people at sea, escaping from a sinking ship, etc

2. informal a fund set up by the dealers in a market to rescue any member who may become insolvent as a result of a collapse in market prices

---

Etymology

Origin of lifeboat

First recorded in 1795–1805; life + boat

Example Sentences

He had been wrecked there, too, at sea in a lifeboat for two days before being rescued.

From Literature

A major operation was launched involving HM Coastguard, lifeboats and helicopters after calls to the emergency services at about 15:00 GMT on 2 January.

From BBC

They lower themselves into one of the few lifeboats, leaving Jim on deck: Should he flee like a rat or wake the sleeping passengers, knowing that they, and he, cannot survive?

From The Wall Street Journal

Once on the lifeboat he was wrapped in warm blankets and it was "assessed that an ambulance and rapid evacuation would be required".

From BBC

Making it to the lifeboat was not much better.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• barge
• canoe
• catamaran
• craft
• dinghy
• gondola
• raft
• sailboat
• schooner
• ship
• yacht