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

What's the life cycle of a cicada? —Finch Walker, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026

Harvesting the garlic scapes is an essential part of garlic's life cycle. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Apr. 2026

Tackling plant problems at the wrong time in a plant’s or insect’s life cycle can be futile and environmentally harmful. —Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026

Think about the phenology of plants, taking note of when the plants complete their life cycle, as this can shift the timing of the flowers. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 8 Apr. 2026

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