1
: a line (such as a rope) used for saving or preserving life: such as
a
: a line along the outer edge of the deck of a boat or ship
b
: a line used to keep contact with a person (such as a diver or astronaut) in a dangerous or potentially dangerous situation
2
: something regarded as indispensable for the maintaining or protection of life
Examples of lifeline in a Sentence
The river is the town's lifeline.
The new jobs were an economic lifeline for a city in need of help.
The radio was their lifeline to the outside world.
They threw a lifeline to the man overboard.
Recent Examples on the Web
For Charlotte County, which lost approximately 250 hotel rooms to Hurricane Ian, Sunseeker initially appeared to be a tourism lifeline.
—
Jackie Snow, Quartz, 15 Mar. 2025
Victim engagement: The sting is complete when, by using Microsoft’s billing emails that contain the organization name and fake support contact numbers, victims are urged to immediately contact what is purporting to be a critical support lifeline.
—Davey Winder, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Up until days ago, the ICRC had been the only lifeline for these political prisoners, whose sham trial began two months ago.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
But Valley Link has the potential to be a lifeline to those transit agencies that are struggling to regain riders post pandemic.
—Jerry McNerney, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lifeline
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Jackie Snow, Quartz, 15 Mar. 2025
Victim engagement: The sting is complete when, by using Microsoft’s billing emails that contain the organization name and fake support contact numbers, victims are urged to immediately contact what is purporting to be a critical support lifeline.
—Davey Winder, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Up until days ago, the ICRC had been the only lifeline for these political prisoners, whose sham trial began two months ago.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
But Valley Link has the potential to be a lifeline to those transit agencies that are struggling to regain riders post pandemic.
—Jerry McNerney, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lifeline
Cite this Entry
“Lifeline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifeline. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lifeline
noun
life·line
ˈlī-ˌflīn 
1
: a line persons may hang on to for safety or rescue
2
: something providing help or support that is needed for success or survival
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