lifeline

[ lahyf-lahyn ]

/ ˈlaɪfˌlaɪn /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR lifeline ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a line, fired across a ship or boat, by means of which a hawser for a breeches buoy may be hauled aboard.

a line or rope for saving life, as one attached to a lifeboat.

any of various lines 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.

a wire safety rope supported by stanchions along the edge of the deck of a yacht.

the line by which a diver is lowered and raised.

any of several anchored lines used by swimmers for support.

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.

assistance at a critical time.

Origin of lifeline

First recorded in 1690–1700; life + line¹

Words nearby lifeline

lifeful, lifeguard, lifehack, lifeless, lifelike, lifeline, lifelong, lifelong learning, lifemanship, lifer, lifesaver

Example sentences from the Web for lifeline

These images, videos and messages became a lifeline between two worlds and a stark record of the distance between them.

War Is About More Than Heroes, Martyrs, and Patriots |Nathan Bradley Bethea |November 12, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The third and final “lifeline” asked whether von Trier related to his female protagonists as well as his male ones.

Lars von Trier Breaks His Vow of Silence to Discuss ‘Nymphomaniac’ in Venice |Marlow Stern |September 1, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The second “lifeline” was what von Trier had learned about female sexuality by making Nymphomaniac.

Lars von Trier Breaks His Vow of Silence to Discuss ‘Nymphomaniac’ in Venice |Marlow Stern |September 1, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
To step inside Madison Square Garden was to grab hold of a lifeline to an alternate world of harmonic order and balance.

‘When the Garden Was Eden’: Why New York City Needs the Knicks Now More Than Ever |Robert Silverman |April 19, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Having Texas Republican women try to throw said candidate a lifeline only to smack him in the head with a big-ass anchor.

The 'RedState Women' Wooing Scheme |Michelle Cottle |April 2, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
She wakes with a tearing start from the gray dreams of death that fill her lifeline.

The Big Time |Fritz Reuter Leiber
Even these hardy men of the wild dared not venture beyond their door without the lifeline which was always kept handy.

In the Brooding Wild |Ridgwell Cullum
Half my memories were doubled, half my lifeline crooked and twisted, three new moles upon my sword-hand.

The Big Time |Fritz Reuter Leiber
“Give her the once over and throw out the lifeline,” Jimmie said.

Turn About Eleanor |Ethel M. Kelley
A cheer burst from the throats of the Boy Scouts as they tailed on the lifeline, and walked backward from the tree with it.

The Boy Scouts On The Range |Lieut. Howard Payson

British Dictionary definitions for lifeline

lifeline

/ (ˈlaɪfˌlaɪn) /

noun

a line thrown or fired aboard a vessel for hauling in a hawser for a breeches buoy

any rope or line attached to a vessel or trailed from it for the safety of passengers, crew, swimmers, etc

a line by which a deep-sea diver is raised or lowered

a vital line of access or communication

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

lifeline

noun

Origin of lifeline

Words nearby lifeline

Example sentences from the Web for lifeline

British Dictionary definitions for lifeline

noun

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

lifeline

noun

Origin of lifeline

Words nearby lifeline

Words related to lifeline

Example sentences from the Web for lifeline

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noun

British Dictionary definitions for lifeline