lifesaver

plural lifesavers · alternative life-saver · alternative life saver

1. Someone or something that saves lives.
   1. A lifeguard or other rescuer.

      My dad loves his job as a surf lifesaver.

      1 more example

      Paramedics are not just ordinary workers but lifesavers with a very important job.

   2. A life buoy.

      They threw him a lifesaver and then hauled him up onto the boat.

      1 more example

      Ms Rybicki began filming just as a second IRB drove out to the rogue boat, collecting the first lifesaver into the boat en route.

      2023 October 2, Emily Bissland, “Warrnambool beach evacuated as surf lifesaver is 'catapulted' from rogue inflatable rescue boat”, in Australian Broadcasting Corporation

      Synonyms: life preserver, life ring

   3. Any lifesaving tool or item of supplies.

      When I got lost in the woods, my Swiss Army knife was a lifesaver.

      1 more example

      Dexamethasone hailed as lifesaver for up to a million Covid patients worldwide [title]

      2021 March 23, Natalie Grover, Denis Campbell, “Dexamethasone hailed as lifesaver for up to a million Covid patients worldwide”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

2. figurativelySomeone or something that is very useful or helpful.

   Thank you so much for fixing my car; you're a real lifesaver!

   2 more examples

   This shop is a lifesaver on a hot day when you're craving a cold drink.

   Both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have been lifesavers during the pandemic. Having both is ideal.

   2021 August 26, Rachel Obordo, “‘Netflix is a lifesaver!’ The over-65s embracing the streaming boom”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

   Synonyms: boon, godsend