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

The findings are changing the way scientists understand ant reproduction, showing that ants can produce individuals of another species as part of their life cycle. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025

Ferrari in April launched the new hybrid 296 Speciale and its convertible version, based on the 2021 Ferrari 296, the house's other hybrid model, now approaching the end of its life cycle. —Giulio Piovaccari, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025

This approach has significantly improved customer engagement, reduced claim processing times and enhanced satisfaction across the policy life cycle. —Nitesh Mirchandani, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Perhaps another Asgard with similar tubulin genes but a quicker life cycle will turn up, said Tom Pollard, a professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology at Yale University who studies cell division. —Veronique Greenwood, Quanta Magazine, 8 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