1. a large-scale evacuation or transportation of people by boat, especially in an emergency or crisis situation
Usage: often refers to a historical or significant event; can be used as a proper noun when referring to a specific historical event

Examples

• The boatlift rescued thousands of people from the island during the natural disaster.
• Operation Frequent Wind included a boatlift that evacuated civilians from the capital.
• Volunteers coordinated the boatlift to transport stranded residents to safety.
• The boatlift was one of the largest maritime evacuations in modern history.
• Rescue teams organized a boatlift to help people escape the flooding.