IPA: /ˈlaɪfˌseɪ.vər/
KK: /ˈlaɪfˌseɪvər/
A person or thing that helps to save someone from danger, especially in emergencies.
The quick actions of the lifeguard were a true lifesaver during the beach emergency.
Lifesaver → It is formed from "life" (from Old English "līf", meaning existence or living) and "saver" (from the verb "save", which comes from Latin "salvare", meaning to rescue or keep safe). The word "lifesaver" refers to someone or something that rescues or preserves life.
Think of someone who helps to preserve 'life' — that's what a 'lifesaver' does, they save lives.