-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
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
Shelf-stable foods last a long time at cooler temperatures, but that lifespan can shorten considerably in the heat.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2025
Whether or not either of these two quarterbacks are worth a top-two selection, let alone a trade-up for one of these top two picks, a new quarterback can often extend the lifespan of a General Manager.
—Tyler Small, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Unlike conventional batteries, supercapacitors have an exceptionally long lifespan, lasting hundreds of thousands of charge-discharge cycles, whereas lithium batteries typically last only five years or less.
—Zackery Cuevas, PCMAG, 7 Jan. 2025
In the fast-moving air taxi and eVTOL market, things are jumping at a pace not seen since the dotcom bubble of the 1990s when flash new companies had the lifespan of mayflies with a chronic cough.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 5 Jan. 2025
One thing that got me angry was the lifespan of things and the lack of repairability.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Jan. 2025
The team’s analysis suggests the median lifespan for North Atlantic right whales is 22 years and that only 10% of the animals are likely to live past age 47.
—Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 20 Dec. 2024
The Handsfree Series features automotive-grade lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery cells, offering over 4,000 charging cycles and a lifespan of 10 years.
—New Atlas, 19 Dec. 2024
Deals on Woot have a very short lifespan, and only last for a limited time, or as soon as a product sells out (usually the latter).
—Gabriela Vatu, PCMAG, 16 Dec. 2024
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.
Word History
First Known Use
1831, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Dictionary Entries Near lifespan
Cite this Entry
“Lifespan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifespan. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
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
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
More from Merriam-Webster on lifespan
Britannica English: Translation of lifespan for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share