boatlift
boatlift Lexical Profile
boatlift Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A coordinated operation to transport or evacuate people or supplies by boat, especially during an emergency when other routes are unavailable.
"Thousands of stranded residents were rescued from Lower Manhattan in an impromptu boatlift across the harbor."
A mechanical structure or elevator used to raise and lower boats between two bodies of water at different levels, or to hoist a watercraft out of the water for storage.
"The historic canal uses a massive hydraulic boatlift to transfer barges from the lower river to the upper aqueduct."
• verb
To transport or evacuate people or supplies by boat, especially as part of an emergency rescue operation.
"Coast Guard crews worked through the night to boatlift evacuees from the flooded peninsula."
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the mid-20th century on the model of "airlift", combining "boat" and "lift".
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.