1. small boats carried on ships for emergency evacuation of passengers and crew
Usage: nautical; plural form of lifeboat
2. things that provide safety or rescue in difficult situations
Usage: figurative use

Examples

• The cruise ship carried enough lifeboats for all passengers.
• Crew members conducted a lifeboat drill every week.
• The lifeboats were lowered into the water during the emergency.
• When the Titanic sank, there weren’t enough lifeboats for everyone.
• The government programs served as lifeboats for struggling families.
• Small businesses needed financial lifeboats during the recession.