life sustaining

/ˈlaɪf səˈsteɪnɪŋ/
adjective
  1. Providing what is necessary to keep someone or something alive.
    • The astronauts relied on life-sustaining oxygen tanks during their spacewalk.
    • Doctors administered life-sustaining medications to stabilize the patient.
    • Clean water is a life-sustaining resource for all living creatures.
  2. Essential for the continued existence or functioning of something.
    • The river provided life-sustaining irrigation for the farms.
    • The life-sustaining support of the community kept the small library open.
    • Education is a life-sustaining force for a democratic society.
What does "life sustaining" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean