Definition

Noun: 1. A life preserver in the form of a ring of buoyant material: A device designed to keep a person afloat in water, typically made of cork, kapok, or inflatable material and shaped like a ring or horseshoe. 2. A belt attaching you to some object as a restraint in order to prevent you from getting hurt: A safety harness or belt that secures a person to a fixed structure to prevent falls, especially used in construction, window cleaning, or certain sports.

Usage Examples

• As a buoyancy aid:
  • The ship's crew threw a life belt to the man who had fallen overboard.
  • Passengers were instructed on the location of life belts under their seats.
• As a safety restraint:
  • The window cleaner securely fastened his life belt to the anchor point on the roof.
  • When working at great heights, wearing a life belt is a mandatory safety precaution.

Advanced Usage

• "To throw someone a life belt": This idiom extends the literal meaning to describe providing crucial help or support to someone in a difficult situation (e.g., a financial or professional crisis).
  • The unexpected contract threw the struggling company a much-needed life belt.

Variants and Related Words

• Lifebuoy (noun): A synonym, specifically referring to the ring-shaped flotation device.
• Life jacket (noun): A personal flotation device worn on the torso, as opposed to a ring held or worn.
• Safety harness (noun): A more modern and comprehensive term for the restraint system, of which a belt may be one component.

Synonyms

• For the flotation device: Lifebuoy, life preserver, life ring.
• For the safety restraint: Safety belt, harness, tether, lanyard.

Related Idioms

• "A life belt": Used metaphorically to describe anything that provides essential support in a crisis.
  • The emergency loan acted as a life belt, saving the business from bankruptcy.

Noun

1. a life preserver in the form of a ring of buoyant material
2. belt attaching you to some object as a restraint in order to prevent you from getting hurt