life vest

IPA/ˈlaɪf vest/
IPA/ˈlaɪf vest/

life vest — noun

1. a piece of safety clothing without sleeves that you wear on your upper body, des

1.nounA2
Definition

a piece of safety clothing without sleeves that you wear on your upper body, designed to keep you floating on the surface of water when you are in danger of drowning; it is filled with air or made from material that stays afloat naturally

Example

The ferry crew showed everyone how to fasten a life vest before departure.

collocation: fasten a life vest

Linh put on her life vest before getting into the small fishing boat.

collocation: put on a life vest

Common collocations
  • fasten a life vest
  • put on a life vest
  • wear a life vest
  • inflatable life vest
Synonyms
  • life jacket

    the most common alternative name; standard in British English

  • flotation device

    a broader category that includes life rings, rafts, and other floating safety equipment

  • life preserver

    used especially in American English; can also refer to a life ring or buoy

Grammar Patterns

life vest + verb (keeps / helps)

wear / put on + a life vest

Usage Note

This item is also called a 'life jacket'. The two terms mean exactly the same thing and can be used interchangeably, though 'life vest' is somewhat more common in American English and 'life jacket' is the standard term in British English.

Common Mistakes

Every boat should have life vest on board.
Every boat should have a life vest on board.
'life vest' is a countable noun and needs an article (a/an/the) when singular.

Word family

  • life
    nounA1
  • vest
    nounB1
  • life jacket
    nounA2
  • life preserver
    nounB2
  • flotation
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Life jacket' is the direct synonym for 'life vest' — the two are completely interchangeable in everyday use, with 'life jacket' being the dominant term in British English and 'life vest' slightly more common in American English. 'Life preserver' is broader: it can mean a life vest, but it also covers life rings, throwable cushions, and other rescue equipment. 'Flotation device' is the most general term, covering anything designed to keep a person afloat — from a life vest to a pool noodle. 'Buoyancy aid' is the technical term used by water-sports professionals for a less bulky vest that provides some floatation but is not designed to turn an unconscious person face-up. For everyday travel and boating, 'life vest' and 'life jacket' are the words learners need.

life jacketlife preserverflotation devicebuoyancy aid

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • wear a life vest
  • put on a life vest
  • take off a life vest
  • check a life vest

Etymology

Old EnglishLatinFrenchEnglish

'Life vest' is a compound noun formed from the noun 'life' and the noun 'vest'. 'Life' comes from Old English 'līf', meaning the state of being alive. 'Vest' entered English from French 'veste' (a jacket or coat), ultimately from Latin 'vestis' (a garment). The compound 'life vest' emerged in the early 20th century as safety equipment became common on ships and aircraft, describing a vest worn to preserve life in water. Its close synonym 'life jacket' appeared slightly earlier, and the two terms have been used side by side ever since.

First known use

1848

1848, in the meaning defined above