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
Nevertheless, the high failure rate among small businesses will always be an issue for landlords, according to Glenn Brill, a managing director in the real estate solutions practice at FTI Consulting, noting that the lifespan of more than 50% of small businesses is less than six years.
—
Kevin Williams, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
From the humble red dwarfs to the titanic supergiants, stars come in a dazzling array of sizes, colors, and lifespans.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Even when framed as necessary to extend Social Security’s lifespan, support never rose above 30 percent.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Ghost's age falls in the range of the average giant Pacific octopus lifespan of three to five years.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Allowing a layer of gunk to grow on weather stripping also shortens its lifespan.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025
Both of these approaches, said Barnhart, extend satellite lifespans, reduce the number of defunct satellites in orbit, and promote sustainability.
—Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
The lifespan of someone with the syndrome may be into their 20s, at most.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
But there's one additional factor that can shorten its lifespan, and that's the never-ending trend cycle.
—Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
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Kevin Williams, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
From the humble red dwarfs to the titanic supergiants, stars come in a dazzling array of sizes, colors, and lifespans.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Even when framed as necessary to extend Social Security’s lifespan, support never rose above 30 percent.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Ghost's age falls in the range of the average giant Pacific octopus lifespan of three to five years.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Allowing a layer of gunk to grow on weather stripping also shortens its lifespan.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025
Both of these approaches, said Barnhart, extend satellite lifespans, reduce the number of defunct satellites in orbit, and promote sustainability.
—Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
The lifespan of someone with the syndrome may be into their 20s, at most.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
But there's one additional factor that can shorten its lifespan, and that's the never-ending trend cycle.
—Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lifespan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifespan. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
life span
noun1
: 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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