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
Examples of lifespan in a Sentence
the average lifespan of house cats
increase the human lifespan
Recent Examples on the Web
Swiss scientists have made significant progress in improving the lifespan of aging concrete bridges after developing a smart shape-memory steel that tightens itself when heated, closing cracks and doubling structural strength.
—
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026
Strip Shingles, also called three-tab, are the most basic and economical, but have the shortest lifespan (typically have a 20-30 year warranty).
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
Restoring and preventing furniture marks on carpets keeps your space looking fresh and extends your carpet's lifespan.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 19 Feb. 2026
Throughout its lifespan, the station has served as a test bed for scientific research in microgravity and has in years past opened itself up to private commercial missions.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
Cats also have a longer average lifespan, with indoor cats potentially living 10 to 20 years.
—Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 18 Feb. 2026
Much of San Diego’s infrastructure is overdue for replacement because it was built during the city’s population boom of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s and has outlasted its lifespan.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
The site would require a one-time fill of between 60,000 and 70,000 gallons of water that would cycle throughout the project’s lifespan in a closed-loop system.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
Our lifespans have increased dramatically over the past century.
—Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2026
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Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026
Strip Shingles, also called three-tab, are the most basic and economical, but have the shortest lifespan (typically have a 20-30 year warranty).
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
Restoring and preventing furniture marks on carpets keeps your space looking fresh and extends your carpet's lifespan.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 19 Feb. 2026
Throughout its lifespan, the station has served as a test bed for scientific research in microgravity and has in years past opened itself up to private commercial missions.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
Cats also have a longer average lifespan, with indoor cats potentially living 10 to 20 years.
—Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 18 Feb. 2026
Much of San Diego’s infrastructure is overdue for replacement because it was built during the city’s population boom of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s and has outlasted its lifespan.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
The site would require a one-time fill of between 60,000 and 70,000 gallons of water that would cycle throughout the project’s lifespan in a closed-loop system.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
Our lifespans have increased dramatically over the past century.
—Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lifespan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifespan. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
lifespan
noun
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
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