lifeline

[lahyf-lahyn]

noun

1. a line, fired across a ship or boat, by means of which a hawser for a breeches buoy may be hauled aboard.

2. a line or rope for saving life, as one attached to a lifeboat.

3. any of various lines line running above the decks, spars, etc., of a ship or boat to give sailors something to grasp when there is danger of falling or being washed away.

4. a wire safety rope supported by stanchions along the edge of the deck of a yacht.

5. the line by which a diver is lowered and raised.

6. any of several anchored lines line used by swimmers for support.

7. a route or means of transportation or communication for receiving or delivering food, medicine, or assistance.

   This road is the town's lifeline and must be kept open despite the snow.

8. assistance at a critical time.

lifeline

/ ˈlaɪfˌlaɪn /

noun

1. a line thrown or fired aboard a vessel for hauling in a hawser for a breeches buoy

2. any rope or line attached to a vessel or trailed from it for the safety of passengers, crew, swimmers, etc

3. a line by which a deep-sea diver is raised or lowered

4. a vital line of access or communication

Word History and Origins

Origin of lifeline¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; life + line ¹

Example Sentences

AI offers a lifeline to head off those risks, by helping China make and ship more stuff faster, cheaper and with fewer workers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The U.S. has made no real attempt to cut this lifeline, say, with secondary sanctions.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Over the past five years, a quieter lifeline has emerged: renewable energy.

Read more on Salon

What is being prepared here is not just lunch, it is a lifeline.

Read more on BBC

"This summit has actually thrown a lifeline to multilateralism, breathing new life into it," he said.

Read more on Barron's