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

Mayflies have some of the shortest lifespans in the insect world. — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026

The actual lifespan of the cooling water depends on contamination. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 2026

The ability of this living material to regenerate could reduce waste and significantly extend the lifespan of clothing. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026

Against a comparison group of the same age that ate freely and received only saline shots, the mice’s median lifespan rose by about 12 percent—from 742 days to 834. — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 2 Sep. 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