Meaning & use
lifeguard
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable
A person whose job is to watch people swimming and help anyone who gets into trouble in the water.
Grammar: Countable; use 'a lifeguard' for one, 'lifeguards' for more than one.
Patterns
- a lifeguard at a beach/pool
- a lifeguard on duty
The lifeguard blew her whistle when the children swam too far out.
He works as a lifeguard at the community pool every summer.
If you see someone struggling, call the lifeguard immediately.
Word forms
| plural | lifeguards |
|---|
Common combinations
- lifeguard on duty
- There is always a lifeguard on duty during open hours.
- certified lifeguard
- She is a certified lifeguard with first-aid training.
- lifeguard station
- Meet me by the lifeguard station at noon.
- trained lifeguard
- Only a trained lifeguard should attempt a water rescue.
Synonyms and how they differ
- rescuer
- A rescuer saves people in any emergency, while a lifeguard specifically watches over swimmers at a pool or beach.
- swim instructor
- A swim instructor teaches swimming skills, not primarily safety and rescue.
Word family
- lifesaving noun
- The skill or activity of rescuing people from danger in the water.
- lifeguarding noun
- The work or activity of being a lifeguard.
Commonly confused: lifeguard or life guard?
lifeguard vs life guard
The correct spelling for the water-safety job is one word: lifeguard. 'Life guard' is not standard.
Practice
Choose the best word: The ____ rescued the swimmer who was caught in a strong current.
Choose one answer.
A lifeguard is trained to rescue swimmers in danger. A swim coach teaches technique, and fishermen or sailors are not responsible for swimmer safety.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “lifeguard”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.