water wings

American  

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. an inflatable contrivance shaped like a pair of wings, usually worn under the arms to keep the body afloat while one swims or learns to swim.

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water wings British  

plural noun

1. an inflatable rubber device shaped like a pair of wings, which is placed round the front of the body and under the arms of a person learning to swim

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Etymology

Origin of water wings

First recorded in 1900–10

Example Sentences

The world can be scary and unnerving, but friends are our water wings, our cheer squad, our bodyguards, our packing peanuts.

From Washington Post

Eventually the family was forced to climb on top of their kitchen cabinets - they put water wings on their 1-year-old - and were rescued the next day by boat.

From Washington Times

Eventually the family was forced to climb on top of their kitchen cabinets — they put water wings on their 1-year-old — and were rescued the next day by boat.

From Seattle Times

When teammates drew a chalk line and got him water wings, Rodriguez happily posed for pictures.

From Seattle Times

At least 12 different fungal species make constricting snares that inflate like lethal water wings in a tenth of a second.

From Scientific American