life raft

noun

: a raft usually made of wood or an inflatable material and designed for use by people forced into the water

Examples of life raft in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As their traditional enrollment bases dry up, sports have become a life raft. — Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 24 Apr. 2026 The survivors managed to reach two life rafts, only to discover that one was badly damaged. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 The plane’s pieces are now, in effect, life rafts (though there are some actual oversize yellow inflatable rafts aboard that will come into play). — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026 And many bars are having just as hard a time making rent, making these kinds of arrangements a life raft for basically all parties involved. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for life raft

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of life raft was in 1819

Rhymes for life raft

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Browse Nearby Words

lifer
life raft
liferent
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Cite this Entry

“Life raft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life%20raft. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

life raft

noun
: a raft designed for use by people forced into the water
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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