ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
1. : a strong buoyant boat especially designed for use in saving shipwrecked people
the cart, bearing the lifeboat , was on its way down the beach — J.C.Lincoln
2. : a boat carried by a ship for use in emergency ; especially : a quarter boat kept in readiness for lowering in an emergency
the lifeboats are arranged along almost the full length of the uppermost deck — F.E.Dodman