lifeline

noun

life·​line ˈlīf-ˌlīn How to pronounce lifeline (audio)
1
: a line (such as a rope) used for saving or preserving life: such as
a
: a line along the outer edge of the deck of a boat or ship
b
: a line used to keep contact with a person (such as a diver or astronaut) in a dangerous or potentially dangerous situation
2
: something regarded as indispensable for the maintaining or protection of life

Examples of lifeline in a Sentence

The river is the town's lifeline. The new jobs were an economic lifeline for a city in need of help. The radio was their lifeline to the outside world. They threw a lifeline to the man overboard.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The grant program serves as a lifeline; family farms going out of business at record pace, federal grant programs disappearing, and much of our farmland sitting dormant and underutilized. — Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 McAfee Deals Your laptop is practically your lifeline in college. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026 During that critical period, Kirkman says the doula training proved to be a lifeline. — La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 Against the backdrop of a care crisis and high burnout, Care AI provides a lifeline that families desperately need. — Marianne Cooper, Time, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lifeline

Word History

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lifeline was in 1700

Rhymes for lifeline

See All Rhymes for lifeline

Browse Nearby Words

lifelikeness
lifeline
life list
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lifeline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifeline. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lifeline

noun
life·​line ˈlī-ˌflīn How to pronounce lifeline (audio)
1
: a line persons may hang on to for safety or rescue
2
: something providing help or support that is needed for success or survival

More from Merriam-Webster on lifeline

Nglish: Translation of lifeline for Spanish Speakers

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