lifeboats

word · lemma: lifeboat

Definition

Lifeboats are small boats kept on ships to help people escape safely in an emergency, such as a shipwreck or fire.

Usage & Nuances

Used mainly in maritime and rescue contexts. Usually plural when talking about safety features on ships ('the ship has twenty lifeboats'). Do not confuse with 'lifejacket' (a vest you wear). Often associated with disasters at sea.

Example Sentences

There are twenty lifeboats on the ship.

basic

People quickly got into the lifeboats during the emergency.

basic

Each lifeboat can carry thirty people.

basic

The crew made sure all the lifeboats were ready before leaving the port.

natural

When the alarm sounded, passengers rushed to the lifeboats.

natural

It’s standard for cruise ships to have enough lifeboats for everyone on board.

natural