life expectancy

noun

: the average lifespan of an individual

Examples of life expectancy in a Sentence

improvements in diet that have resulted in greater life expectancy for many people

calculating the life expectancies of different social groups

Recent Examples on the Web

Advancements in science and technology, along with economic development taking billions out of poverty, are leading to longer life expectancy across most of the world. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune Europe, 3 June 2024

Some simply need to work longer for a paycheck, while others, buoyed by good health and longer life expectancy, want to stay in the workforce as long as possible. —Byalicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 30 May 2024

Later, Gillespie received a one-to-two-year life expectancy prognosis. —Chicago Tribune, The Mercury News, 28 May 2024

Too many communities have been walled off from access to health care and healthy food, causing dramatically lower life expectancy for our Black neighbors. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

life expectancy

noun

: the number of years that an individual or group of a certain age can expect to live on the average based on experience in the past for individuals or groups of the same kind

Medical Definition

life expectancy

noun

: an expected number of years of life based on statistical probability

Legal Definition

life expectancy

noun

: the average life span of an individual