lifeboat
UK: ˈlaɪf.bəʊt | US: ˈlaɪf.boʊt
n. a small boat carried on a ship for emergency evacuations
n. a rescue boat used to save people in danger at sea
The word "lifeboat" is a straightforward compound of "life" (from Old English līf, meaning "existence" or "living being") and "boat" (from Old English bāt, meaning "vessel"). It emerged in the early 19th century to describe a specialized vessel designed to preserve life during maritime emergencies. The compounding reflects its functional purpose: a boat dedicated to saving lives.
The crew quickly lowered the lifeboat when the ship began to sink.
Modern lifeboats are equipped with survival gear and emergency rations.
Volunteers trained rigorously to operate the lifeboat in rough seas.
The lifeboat rescued all passengers from the stranded yacht.
Regulations require every ship to carry enough lifeboats for all onboard.