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

Sacramento County health inspectors shut down the Elk Grove Thai restaurant after finding 10 live cockroaches in various life cycles throughout the facility, including behind the white chest freezer and fire extinguisher and below the storage table. —Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025

An independent third-party life cycle assessment (LCA) determined manufacturing one kilogram of Regen Ocean nylon reduced carbon emissions by 51 percent, compared to production of one kilogram of conventional nylon. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 3 Oct. 2025

For instance, the narrow working temperature range results in limited life cycles. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2025

The climate crisis is unraveling the life cycles of wildlife around the world—by one estimate, for about half of all species. —Marion Renault, The Atlantic, 29 Sep. 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