noun
Uncommon
lifeboat
LYF-boht
Lifeboat (noun) means a small boat built to rescue people from a sinking or distressed ship, or to carry passengers to safety. Example: “Crew members lowered the lifeboats as the ship began to list.”
noun
1
A small boat built to rescue people from a sinking or distressed ship, or to carry passengers to safety.
"Crew members lowered the lifeboats as the ship began to list."
"Every cruise ship must carry enough lifeboats for all passengers."
How to use lifeboat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small rescue boat carried on ships in case of emergency.
Common pairings
launch a lifeboat
lifeboat drill
board the lifeboat
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Word forms
- Plural
- lifeboats
- Third person singular
- lifeboats
- Past tense
- lifeboated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Crew members lowered the _____ as the ship began to list.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of life + boat, naming a boat built specifically to save lives.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for lifeboat
See all rhymes for lifeboat →Frequently asked questions
What does “lifeboat” mean?
The word “lifeboat” means a small boat built to rescue people from a sinking or distressed ship, or to carry passengers to safety. In plain terms, a small rescue boat carried on ships in case of emergency.
How do you pronounce “lifeboat”?
“Lifeboat” is pronounced LYF-boht (/ˈlaɪfˌboʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “lifeboat” in a sentence?
Here is “lifeboat” used in a sentence: “Crew members lowered the lifeboats as the ship began to list.”
What is another word for “lifeboat”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lifeboat” include quarter boat, rowboat and raft.
What part of speech is “lifeboat”?
“Lifeboat” is a noun.
Is “lifeboat” a common word?
“Lifeboat” is an uncommon word in modern English.
