lifeguard
lifeguard Lexical Profile
lifeguard Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An expert swimmer employed at a beach, swimming pool, or water park to watch over bathers and rescue anyone in danger of drowning.
"The lifeguard blew her whistle to warn the swimmers about the strong rip current."
A soldier or body of troops appointed to protect the person of a monarch or high-ranking military commander.
"Historically, the general's personal lifeguard rode alongside his carriage during the campaign."
• verb
To work as a lifeguard or supervise a body of water to ensure the safety of swimmers.
"He lifeguarded at the municipal pool for three summers while attending college."
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the 17th century as a compound of 'life' and 'guard' (modeled on Dutch 'lijfgarde' and German 'Leibgarde', meaning 'bodyguard'), originally denoting a royal bodyguard of soldiers before adopting the sense of an aquatic rescuer in late 19th-century American English.