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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While there's no cure, treatment may be able to slow disease progression, which can extend life expectancy. Health, 27 Sep. 2025 Adams credited vaccines with extending the life expectancy for communities of color. Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025 The metrics ranged from women's median earnings and job security to their life expectancy and the quality of women's hospitals. Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025 The median life expectancy for a female African savanna elephant in captivity is about 39 years. Don Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for life expectancy

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of life expectancy was in 1848

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Life expectancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life%20expectancy. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on life expectancy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!