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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
One thing to know about Woot, however, is that deals there have a short lifespan, sometimes products only being available for a few hours. Gabriela Vatu, PCMAG, 1 Nov. 2024 Clean Carpets Carpet cleaning is also important to maintain their lifespan and also keep your home healthy. Terri Williams, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Make This Reusable Kitchen Sponge for an Eco-Friendly Scrubber How to Make Sponges Last Longer Using a sponge for only a week might seem like a short time, but the good news is that proper maintenance can give your sponges a longer lifespan. Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Oct. 2024 The average mattress has a lifespan of about 14 years, from manufacture to consumer disposal, according to MRC. Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2024 Her company, for example, sells a metal roof designed to easily accept solar and have a lifespan almost twice that of the average panel. Tik Root / Grist, Quartz, 19 Oct. 2024 According to hardware experts, the lifespan for hinges and handles can range from a few years to decades, with 10 to 15 years being average. Marni Jameson, arkansasonline.com, 19 Oct. 2024 This predictive maintenance approach can decrease downtime and extend the lifespan of manufacturing equipment, reducing waste and the need for replacements. Raghunandan Gurumurthy, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 Affirmations and Insights to Keep You From Losing Your Mind and Dr. Sascha Griffing, a clinical psychologist with extensive experience in women’s health across the lifespan, particularly at the intersection of trauma and mental health. Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 22 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 13 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!