Definition

A type of boat that is kept on a ship and used for safety in case the ship needs to be abandoned or for rescuing people in emergencies.

Example

The crew quickly boarded the lifeboat after the captain ordered an evacuation.

Conversation

Did you hear about the new lifeboat they added to the cruise ship?

Yeah, I think it's a great safety feature!

I hope we never have to use the lifeboat, though.

Same here! But it's good to know it's there just in case.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Lifeboat → It is formed from "life" (from Old English "līf", meaning existence or living) and "boat" (from Old English "bāt", meaning a small vessel for traveling on water). The word "lifeboat" refers to a boat designed to save lives, especially in emergencies at sea.

Memory Tip

Think of a vessel that is meant to preserve 'life' — that's why a lifeboat is a boat for saving lives.

Visually Confused Words