life cycle

noun

1

: the series of stages in form and functional activity through which an organism passes between successive recurrences of a specified primary stage

2

: life history sense 2

3

: a series of stages through which something (such as an individual, culture, or manufactured product) passes during its lifetime

Examples of life cycle in a Sentence

the life cycle of a shark

Recent Examples on the Web

This can be achieved through the implementation of flexible work and retirement options and investments in employee health and well-being across the life cycle. —Sheila Callaham, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025

Wildfires are part of the life cycle of forests and the chaparral, which burn with regularity to regenerate themselves and have occurred long before humans populated the Golden State. —Hugo A Loaiciga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025

But in the past six months, the life cycle has changed. —Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025

As open fields and forests are being paved over, the natural life cycle of fireflies is disrupted as these luminescent beetles are displaced. —Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for life cycle

• recycle
• motorcycle

Kids Definition

life cycle

noun

1

: the series of stages of form and activity through which a living thing passes from a beginning stage (as an egg) in one individual to the same stage in its offspring

2

: life history sense 1

Medical Definition

life cycle

noun

1

: the series of stages in form and functional activity through which an organism passes between successive recurrences of a specified primary stage

2

: life history sense 1a