51Թ

Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

lifeline

[ lahyf-lahyn ]

noun

  1. a line, fired across a ship or boat, by means of which a hawser for a breeches buoy may be hauled aboard.
  2. a line or rope for saving life, as one attached to a lifeboat.
  3. any of various lines line running above the decks, spars, etc., of a ship or boat to give sailors something to grasp when there is danger of falling or being washed away.
  4. a wire safety rope supported by stanchions along the edge of the deck of a yacht.
  5. the line by which a diver is lowered and raised.
  6. any of several anchored lines line used by swimmers for support.
  7. a route or means of transportation or communication for receiving or delivering food, medicine, or assistance:

    This road is the town's lifeline and must be kept open despite the snow.

  8. assistance at a critical time.


lifeline

/ ˈɪˌɪ /

noun

  1. a line thrown or fired aboard a vessel for hauling in a hawser for a breeches buoy
  2. any rope or line attached to a vessel or trailed from it for the safety of passengers, crew, swimmers, etc
  3. a line by which a deep-sea diver is raised or lowered
  4. a vital line of access or communication
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

51Թ History and Origins

Origin of lifeline1

First recorded in 1690–1700; life + line 1
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Still, the court’s conservatives appeared to throw Trump a lifeline, scaling back a lower district court’s order to “effectuate” his release.

From

The magazine was a lifeline to Robert, as it was to countless other ’50s misfits.

From

A facility user described it as "a lifeline".

From

In addition to deregulation, station owners are looking for a technological lifeline.

From

Such sites have been a lifeline for many residents, but last week, one in Bartley Green saw a queue of cars more than a mile long.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement