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

Synonyms of lifespan

• duration
• life
• lifetime
• time

Examples of lifespan in a Sentence

the average lifespan of house cats

increase the human lifespan

Recent Examples on the Web

Top load washers an average lifespan of 15 years while front loaders have 11 because of the issues with mold growth. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026

Apart from providing energy, the Nighthawk project will generate over $30 million in local property tax revenues throughout its lifespan. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026

Despite this, as long as users don’t grind their teeth, Vega expects the number of battery cycles to be the limiting factor for the lifespan of the device, at least two years. — Greg Uyeno, IEEE Spectrum, 13 Aug. 2026

This can shorten a gutter’s lifespan in very snowy climates and even damage your roof. — Nick Perry, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for lifespan

• businessman
• canavan
• caravan
• constantan
• dragoman
• fisherman
• handyman
• harmattan
• journeyman
• marianne
• middleman
• minivan

Kids Definition

life span

noun

: the average length of life of a living thing or of the persistence of a material object under specified circumstances or in a particular environment

Medical Definition

lifespan

noun

ˈlīf-ˌspan 

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