Lifeboat: meaning, definitions and examples

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lifeboat

 

[ ˈlaɪfboʊt ]

Context #1 | Noun

rescue situation

A lifeboat is a type of small boat that is used to rescue people from dangerous situations, typically at sea. They are designed to be launched quickly and can often carry a limited number of passengers or crew members. Lifeboats are equipped with various safety features and are often part of a larger ship's safety equipment. They play a critical role in maritime safety by providing a means of escaping from a sinking or distressed vessel.

Synonyms

emergency boat, rescue boat, salvage boat

Examples of usage

  • The crew used the lifeboat to save passengers from the sinking ship.
  • In emergencies, the lifeboat can be deployed within minutes.
  • The lifeboat was equipped with enough supplies for a two-day journey.
  • During the drill, everyone practiced how to board the lifeboat quickly.

Translations

Translations of the word "lifeboat" in other languages:

🇵🇹 bote salva-vidas

🇮🇳 जीवनरक्षक नौका

🇩🇪 Rettungsboot

🇮🇩 perahu penyelamat

🇺🇦 рятувальний човен

🇵🇱 barka ratunkowa

🇯🇵 救命ボート

🇫🇷 canot de sauvetage

🇪🇸 bote salvavidas

🇹🇷 can kurtarma botu

🇰🇷 구명 보트

🇸🇦 قارب إنقاذ

🇨🇿 záchranný člun

🇸🇰 záchranná loď

🇨🇳 救生艇

🇸🇮 reševalna ladja

🇮🇸 björgunarbátur

🇰🇿 құтқару қайығы

🇬🇪 საერთაშორისო ნავი

🇦🇿 xilasetmə qayığı

🇲🇽 bote salvavidas

Word origin

The term 'lifeboat' has its roots in the maritime vocabulary of the late 19th century. 'Life' originates from the Old English 'līf', which means 'existence' or 'the state of being alive'. The word 'boat' can be traced back to the Old Norse word 'bátr', meaning a small vessel. Lifeboats were developed as a safety measure to provide a means of escape from larger vessels in distress. The first true lifeboats were built in the early 1800s, featuring a design that allowed them to remain buoyant even if capsized. Over the years, advancements in materials and technology have led to the production of modern lifeboats, which are now made from durable materials like fiberglass and equipped with various safety and emergency provisions. Their importance was underscored by incidents like the Titanic disaster, which highlighted the need for effective evacuation measures at sea.