lifeguard

IPA/ˈlaɪfɡɑːd/
KK[lˈaɪfɡˌɑrd]IPA/ˈlaɪfɡɑːrd/

lifeguard — noun

  • lifeguardsingular
  • lifeguardsplural

1. someone who keeps watch over people swimming in the ocean, a lake, or a pool and

1.nounB1
Definition

someone who keeps watch over people swimming in the ocean, a lake, or a pool and rescues anyone who is in trouble in the water.

Example

Ravi, a lifeguard at Westside Pool, spotted a child struggling in the deep end and jumped in immediately.

countable: 'a lifeguard at [place]'

Before the beach opened, the lifeguards checked the water conditions and set up safety flags.

lifeguard + checked + [condition]

Common collocations
  • lifeguard on duty
  • head lifeguard
  • lifeguard training
  • call a lifeguard
  • lifeguard station
Synonyms
  • guard

    more general term for anyone who protects people or property; does not imply water rescue training

  • rescuer

    strong emphasis on the act of saving someone, but not limited to water environments

Usage Note

Often used as part of a compound noun (lifeguard chair, lifeguard station, lifeguard training) or in job titles (head lifeguard, beach lifeguard). Common in warnings and signs: 'Lifeguard on duty.'

Common Mistakes

A security guard rescued the drowning child from the pool.
A lifeguard rescued the drowning child from the pool.
a 'security guard' protects property and people on land; a 'lifeguard' specifically watches over swimmers and rescues from water.

Word family

  • lifeguarding
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words involve protecting or helping people, but they differ in setting and training. A lifeguard has specific water-rescue skills and works at beaches, lakes, or pools. A guard is a much broader term — a security guard patrols buildings, a prison guard watches inmates — with no connection to swimming. A rescuer can be anyone who saves someone from danger (fire, accident, water), but is not a job title tied to a specific location. A pool attendant may hand out towels and check tickets but is not trained to perform water rescues. If you see someone waving for help in the water, you call a lifeguard, not a guard or an attendant.

guard ↗rescuer ↗pool attendant

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • lifeguard on duty
  • call a lifeguard
  • lifeguard training program

Prepositions

Etymology

English

Formed by combining 'life' and 'guard,' this word first appeared in English in the late 1800s. It was modelled on the idea of someone who 'guards' or watches over the 'life' and safety of swimmers, especially at popular beaches and public pools that began opening in that era.