I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: life (I) + guard
: one that guards or protects a person's life ; specifically : an expert swimmer employed (as at a beach or pool) to safeguard bathers and to prevent drownings
seen a lifeguard work over a half-drowned man — Zane Grey
II. transitive verb
: to guard or protect the life of (a person)
intransitive verb
: to serve as a lifeguard