Word
lifeboat
US/ˈɫaɪfˌboʊt/
UK/lˈaɪfbəʊt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small, strong boat kept on a larger ship to save people if there is an emergency. It can also be a boat kept on land that goes out to help people in trouble at sea.
n. a small vessel carried by a larger ship for emergency evacuation, or a shore-based craft specifically designed for maritime rescue operations.
Examples
“The crew lowered the lifeboat into the water during the drill.”
“Every passenger must know the location of their assigned lifeboat before the ship leaves the harbor.”
“Modern maritime regulations mandate that the total capacity of lifeboats must exceed the maximum number of passengers and crew permitted on board the vessel.”
Examples
simple
“The crew lowered the lifeboat into the water during the drill.”
contextual
“Every passenger must know the location of their assigned lifeboat before the ship leaves the harbor.”
complex
“Modern maritime regulations mandate that the total capacity of lifeboats must exceed the maximum number of passengers and crew permitted on board the vessel.”
Usage
Often used as a modifier in compound nouns like 'lifeboat station' or 'lifeboat drill'.
Etymology
From life + boat.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/lifeboat