lifesaving

1 of 2

adjective

life·​sav·​ing ˈlīf-ˌsā-viŋ How to pronounce lifesaving (audio)
: designed for or used in saving lives
lifesaving drugs

lifesaving

2 of 2

noun

: the skill or practice of saving or protecting the lives especially of drowning persons

Examples of lifesaving in a Sentence

Noun All lifeguards are trained in lifesaving.
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.
Adjective
Regarding money management, few things are more lifesaving than an emergency fund. — Nia Bowers, Detroit Free Press, 28 Nov. 2024 Simulations are used to discover new lifesaving drugs, to model the future of climate change and to explore the behavior of colliding galaxies — as well as the physics of hypersonic missiles and nuclear explosions. — Alex W. Palmer, New York Times, 12 July 2023
Noun
West refused and went to Texas before the baby was born, prompting Paxton to secure a court order saying the baby must receive lifesaving medical care after birth. — Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 Another park visitor attempted lifesaving measures, and medical personnel responded shortly afterward, but Mertens was pronounced dead at the scene. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lifesaving

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1598, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1861, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lifesaving was in 1598

Rhymes for lifesaving

See All Rhymes for lifesaving

Browse Nearby Words

lifesaver
lifesaving
life science
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lifesaving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifesaving. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lifesaving

1 of 2 adjective
life·​sav·​ing ˈlīf-ˌsā-viŋ How to pronounce lifesaving (audio)
: designed for or used in saving lives
livesaving devices

lifesaving

2 of 2 noun
: the methods that can be used to save lives especially of drowning persons

Medical Definition

lifesaving

1 of 2 adjective
life·​sav·​ing ˈlīf-ˌsā-viŋ How to pronounce lifesaving (audio)
: designed for or used in saving lives
lifesaving drugs

lifesaving

2 of 2 noun
: the skill or practice of saving or protecting the lives especially of drowning persons

More from Merriam-Webster on lifesaving

Nglish: Translation of lifesaving for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lifesaving

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