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
Examples of lifespan in a Sentence
the average lifespan of house cats
increase the human lifespan
Recent Examples on the Web
In some cases, housing certain paraphernalia in this hot spot could damage them, shorten their lifespan, or even pose a fire hazard.
—
Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 2 Apr. 2026
Solid-state breakthrough Solid-state batteries replace liquid or gel electrolytes with solid materials, improving safety, energy density, and lifespan.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
Whether your mattress is brand new or nearing the end of its lifespan, investing in a mattress pad is a wise and cost effective way to protect and extend the life of your mattress.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
But the brief, costly, impractical service still became one of the most romanticized episodes in American history—a legacy wildly disproportionate to its lifespan.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
With simple care, cleaning, and storage, gardeners can maximize each stake’s lifespan and support a more eco-friendly garden.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026
As of now, there is no miracle drug proven to extend lifespan, healthspan, or peakspan.
—Jamie Ducharme, Health, 1 Apr. 2026
Units in this series retain their silky texture for 50+ washes with proper care, resist tangling, hold their style three times longer, and deliver twice the lifespan of the standard wig.
—Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2026
The most famous historic example is the Phoebus cartel, an early 20th-century alliance between lightbulb manufacturers who agreed to limit the lifespans of their bulbs to force more frequent replacements.
—Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 2 Apr. 2026
Solid-state breakthrough Solid-state batteries replace liquid or gel electrolytes with solid materials, improving safety, energy density, and lifespan.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026
Whether your mattress is brand new or nearing the end of its lifespan, investing in a mattress pad is a wise and cost effective way to protect and extend the life of your mattress.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
But the brief, costly, impractical service still became one of the most romanticized episodes in American history—a legacy wildly disproportionate to its lifespan.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
With simple care, cleaning, and storage, gardeners can maximize each stake’s lifespan and support a more eco-friendly garden.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026
As of now, there is no miracle drug proven to extend lifespan, healthspan, or peakspan.
—Jamie Ducharme, Health, 1 Apr. 2026
Units in this series retain their silky texture for 50+ washes with proper care, resist tangling, hold their style three times longer, and deliver twice the lifespan of the standard wig.
—Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2026
The most famous historic example is the Phoebus cartel, an early 20th-century alliance between lightbulb manufacturers who agreed to limit the lifespans of their bulbs to force more frequent replacements.
—Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lifespan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifespan. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
lifespan
noun
variants
also life span
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
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