WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
breech′es bu′oy, [Naut.]
  1. Nautical, Naval Termsa rescue device consisting of a life buoy from which is suspended a canvas sling, similar in form to a pair of breeches, in which shipwrecked or disabled persons are hauled from a vessel to the shore or to another vessel by means of a rope and pulley between them.
  • 1875–80

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
breeches buoy n
  1. a ring-shaped life buoy with a support in the form of a pair of short breeches, in which a person is suspended for safe transfer from a ship
'breeches buoy' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
lifeline

Forum discussions with the word(s) "breeches buoy" in the title:


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