1. telephone services providing immediate help, information, or crisis support
Usage: plural of hotline
2. direct telephone connections between government officials for urgent communication
Usage: political/diplomatic context

Examples

• The city operates several hotlines for mental health emergencies.
• Suicide prevention hotlines are available 24 hours a day.
• Many companies have customer service hotlines for technical support.
• The crisis center’s hotlines received hundreds of calls during the storm.
• Government hotlines were established between the two countries during the conflict.
• She volunteers at one of the local domestic violence hotlines.