Lifeguard Meaning
/ˈlaɪfˌɡɑɹd/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA lifesaver: a rescuer, usually an expert swimmer, employed to save swimmers in trouble or near drowning at a body of water.
nounA bodyguard or unit of bodyguards, a guard of someone's (especially a king's) life or person.
Sentence Examples
The lifeguard is ever ready to help others.
I applied for a job as a lifeguard at the community pool.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The attentive ____ watched carefully and noticed the swimmer struggling in the deep water.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ kept a close watch on the swimmers to ensure that everyone was safe in the deep end of the pool.
Word Origin & History
From life + guard, calque of Dutch lijfgarde, where life has the sense of Dutch lijf (“body”) (hence literally “bodyguard”). Compare German Leibgarde (“bodyguard”), Danish livgarde (“bodyguard”), Swedish livgarde (“bodyguard”). Compare also Old English līfweard (“guardian of life”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"It's also generally wise to recruit lifeguards to ensure visitor safety, as bathers can panic in the water and require assistance."
— 2025 February 26, Rick Lane, “Review: Planet Coaster 2”, in PC Gamer (US), number 392, page 67; published online 1 November 2024:
""The people's love is the king's lifeguard.""
— 1776, The London Magazine, Or, Gentleman's Monthly Intelligencer:
"[I]n the reserve were the king's lifeguard, commanded by the earl of Lindsey, and prince Rupert's regiment of foot[.]"
— 1843, Edward Hyde, The History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England, page 553:
"Constantine the Great is known to have raised the five scholae of horsemen who formed the actual lifeguard of the prince, and followed his person whenever he went out to war."
— 2012, Charles Oman, A History of the Art of War: The Middle Ages:
"It also looked at what effect stronger lifeguards might have had. They protect the leading wheels from small obstacles and in modern trains have coped with hitting landslip debris."
— 2022 March 23, Philip Haigh, “Network News: Driver of ScotRail HST had only seconds to react, says RAIB”, in RAIL, number 953, page 11:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The attentive ____ watched carefully and noticed the swimmer struggling in the deep water.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ kept a close watch on the swimmers to ensure that everyone was safe in the deep end of the pool.