lifespan
noun
life·span
ˈlīf-ˌspan 
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
Synonyms
Examples of lifespan in a Sentence
the average lifespan of house cats
increase the human lifespan
Recent Examples on the Web
Vacuum Filters Most manufacturers recommend changing a vacuum's filter every three to six months, but different types of filters have different lifespans.
—
Alyssa Shaffer, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Dec. 2024
This is obvious, but keeping the stand full of water can greatly extend your tree's lifespan.
—Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024
The fact that Isaacman was so interested in extending Hubble’s lifespan struck Grunsfeld as a good sign for future science missions at the agency.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2024
In Fallout, ghouls have extended lifespans and are impervious to things that would kill humans, like losing a limb or eating rotten flesh.
—Jason Fields, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
The maker says this feature extends the overall lifespan of the UPS, offering longer-term reliability and more stable performance.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
Not only could improved technology lead people to seek more medical care, longer lifespans might also result in a larger retired population.
—Hakyung Kim, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2024
Life on the farm The lifespan of a turkey depends on its size and type.
—Solcyré Burga, TIME, 25 Nov. 2024
For the lifespan of the Irish republic, the government has been led by the two centrist parties, either Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil, with a historic coalition that included the Green Party in 2020.
—Niamh Kennedy, CNN, 28 Nov. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Alyssa Shaffer, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Dec. 2024
This is obvious, but keeping the stand full of water can greatly extend your tree's lifespan.
—Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024
The fact that Isaacman was so interested in extending Hubble’s lifespan struck Grunsfeld as a good sign for future science missions at the agency.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2024
In Fallout, ghouls have extended lifespans and are impervious to things that would kill humans, like losing a limb or eating rotten flesh.
—Jason Fields, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
The maker says this feature extends the overall lifespan of the UPS, offering longer-term reliability and more stable performance.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
Not only could improved technology lead people to seek more medical care, longer lifespans might also result in a larger retired population.
—Hakyung Kim, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2024
Life on the farm The lifespan of a turkey depends on its size and type.
—Solcyré Burga, TIME, 25 Nov. 2024
For the lifespan of the Irish republic, the government has been led by the two centrist parties, either Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil, with a historic coalition that included the Green Party in 2020.
—Niamh Kennedy, CNN, 28 Nov. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near lifespan
Cite this Entry
“Lifespan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifespan. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
life span
noun1
: 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
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