The AI-powered English dictionary
plural lifeguards
A lifesaver: a rescuer, usually an expert swimmer, employed to save swimmers in trouble or near drowning at a body of water. examples
(uncommon) A bodyguard or unit of bodyguards, a guard of someone's (especially a king's) life or person. quotations examples
"The people's love is the king's lifeguard."
1776, The London Magazine, Or, Gentleman's Monthly Intelligencer
[I]n the reserve were the king's lifeguard, commanded by the earl of Lindsey, and prince Rupert's regiment of foot[.]
1843, Edward Hyde, The History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England, page 553
Constantine the Great is known to have raised the five scholae of horsemen who formed the actual lifeguard of the prince, and followed his person whenever he went out to war.
2012, Charles Oman, A History of the Art of War: The Middle Ages
(rail transport) A sturdy metal bracket fixed in front of each of the leading wheels of a train to deflect small objects away from the wheels to prevent derailment. quotations examples
It also looked at what effect stronger lifeguards might have had. They protect the leading wheels from small obstacles and in modern trains have coped with hitting landslip debris.
2022 March 23, Philip Haigh, “Network News: Driver of ScotRail HST had only seconds to react, says RAIB”, in RAIL, number 953, page 11