lifespan

noun

life·​span ˈlīf-ˌspan How to pronounce lifespan (audio)
variants or less commonly life span
plural lifespans also life-spans
1
: the average length of life of a kind of organism or of a material object especially in a particular environment or under specified circumstances
2
: the duration of existence of an individual

Examples of lifespan in a Sentence

the average lifespan of house cats increase the human lifespan
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This durability not only extends the lifespan of the products but also preserves their vibrant color brightness, contrast, and sheen. Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 4 Nov. 2024 Given their longer lifespans, women have additional healthcare costs to consider during retirement, estimated to be $165,000 on average, according to Fidelity Investments. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 2 Nov. 2024 Feeding flies rapamycin significantly extended their lifespan compared to those fed a control. New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2024 The 10 Best Leather Cleaners of 2024 How Often Should You Clean Leather Clothes? Leather goods, including bags, billfolds and wallets, belts, footwear, and clothing should be cleaned regularly, as routine cleaning and conditioning will significantly extend the lifespan of leather pieces. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2024 And recent research gives scientists a further glimpse into their lifespans, indicating that selachians (the group that includes all sharks) originated in benthic or benthopelagic habitats before expanding into the pelagic zone around 122.6 million years ago. Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 Photo : Neil Fraser, courtesy of RM Sotheby's Fewer than 7,500 examples of the Alpine A110 were made throughout the model’s lifespan. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2024 Psychologically, individuals go through seven-year blocks of change throughout their lifespan. Myisha Battle, TIME, 31 Oct. 2024 Moreover, hornets fed with 80 percent ethanol lived out their typical three-month-long lifespan; their honeybee counterparts died within 24 hours. Rachel Berkowitz, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of lifespan was in 1831

Dictionary Entries Near lifespan

Cite this Entry

“Lifespan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifespan. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

life span

noun
: the average length of life of a living thing or of the persistence of a material object under specified circumstances or in a particular environment

Medical Definition

life span

noun
1
: the duration of existence of an individual
2
: the average length of life of a kind of organism or of a material object especially in a particular environment or under specified circumstances

More from Merriam-Webster on lifespan

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