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

Also, as a part of it, no more than 30% of vehicles could be in use beyond their life cycles. —Lauren Linder, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026

Nature has its own energy; the flower embodies its own cellular metabolism, its particular texture and life cycle. —Dan Turello, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026

Apparently, it was first proposed by TikTok oracle joebro909, who hilariously joked about a meme reset during a comedy skit on the short life cycle of memes. —Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 31 Dec. 2025

How Wasps Survive Winter The life cycle of wasps is similar to bees. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 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