LIFE SUPPORT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does life support mean? 

• LIFE SUPPORT (noun)
  The noun LIFE SUPPORT has 2 senses:

1. equipment that makes life possible in otherwise deadly environmental conditions

2. medical equipment that assists or replaces important bodily functions and so enables a patient to live who otherwise might not survive

  Familiarity information: LIFE SUPPORT used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LIFE SUPPORT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Equipment that makes life possible in otherwise deadly environmental conditions

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

life-support system; life support

Context example:

the astronauts relied on their life-support systems

Hypernyms ("life support" is a kind of...):

equipment (an instrumentality needed for an undertaking or to perform a service)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Medical equipment that assists or replaces important bodily functions and so enables a patient to live who otherwise might not survive

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

life-support system; life support

Context example:

the patient is on life support

Hypernyms ("life support" is a kind of...):

equipment (an instrumentality needed for an undertaking or to perform a service)

 Context examples 

Transforming the inhospitable Martian environment into a place astronauts could explore without life support is not possible without technology well beyond today’s capabilities.

(Mars Terraforming Not Possible Using Present-Day Technology, NASA)

This process would give lunar settlers access to oxygen for fuel and life support, as well as a wide range of metal alloys for in-situ manufacturing.

(Scientists Find Way to Extract Oxygen from Moon Dirt, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

An individual trained and certified to provide all basic and intermediate life support measures in addition to using invasive medical procedures (including intravenous therapy, cardiac defibrillation, administering medications and solutions, and using ventilation devices) as dictated by state law and performed under medical control in case of medical emergencies, hazardous materials exposure, child birth, abuse, fires, flood, accidents, trauma, and psychiatric crises.

(Paramedic, NCI Thesaurus)