life support

noun

: medical equipment, treatments, or medications that temporarily replace or support the function of one or more failing organs in a seriously ill or injured patient and that provide an opportunity for stabilization or recovery
The patient was placed on life support.
A mechanical pump that was invented as a temporary life support for patients with advanced heart failure is emerging as a potential tool to help hearts heal and function for the long term on their own.—Ron Winslow
The current pediatric and adult life support recommendations suggest an epinephrine administration interval … of 3–5 minutes during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).—Donald H. Shaffner and Clifton W. Callaway
—sometimes hyphenated when used before another noun
life-support equipment
life-support measures

Examples of life support in a Sentence

He was removed from life support. She was put on life support. equipment providing life support for astronauts
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.
The man fell into a coma and succumbed to the disease on October 9, 2026, after life support was withdrawn. — Sahas Mehra, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026 These suits are usually a much simpler version of the ones astronauts use in space, which can weigh around 310 pounds (141 kilograms) when fully equipped with life support systems. — Michaela Musilova, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2026 The agreement establishes Pafford as the exclusive advanced life support ground transport provider across an emergency operating district covering Highfill, Cave Springs, Decatur, Gentry and unincorporated Benton County. — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026 The Blue Moon Mark 2 lander used on Artemis III will also need to be outfitted with life support systems. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for life support

Word History

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of life support was in 1974

Rhymes for life support

See All Rhymes for life support

Browse Nearby Words

lifestyle
life support
life-support system
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Cite this Entry

“Life support.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life%20support. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

life support

noun
: medical equipment, treatments, or medications used to temporarily replace or support the function of one or more failing organs in a seriously ill or injured patient and that provide an opportunity for stabilization or recovery
Extracorporeal life support … is used to support the circulation of a patient with severe cardiac failure. The physiologic objective is to provide temporary circulatory support to the vital organs and to unload the failing heart as the injured myocardium attempts to recover.—Massimo Massetti et al., The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
Most of the patients from whom support was withheld or withdrawn had intracranial lesions, usually the result of trauma. A poor prognosis or brain death prompted the withholding or withdrawal of life support in most patients.—Nicholas G. Smedira et al., The New England Journal of Medicine
—sometimes hyphenated when used before another noun
The principles of medical ethics permit active, direct euthanasia … as well as passive and indirect forms. The latter include withholding or removing life-support measures, administering effective pain controls that often hasten death, and assisting patients in suicide.—Susan S. Mattingly, The New England Journal of Medicine
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