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

Choosing a Container Since your garlic is going to spend its entire life cycle in one container, choosing the right one is important. —Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026

Aimed at improving circularity and extending the life cycle of its products, M&S partnered with Redskinned—a company that repairs, resells and recycles used garments—to operate the eBay storefront. —Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 2 Mar. 2026

Unseasonably hot temperatures in January in between rainstorms accelerated the life cycle of mosquitoes in the region and led to an increase in mosquito activity, Kluh said. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026

Pochettino built a great team on a budget, but the life cycle of any team is finite. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 28 Feb. 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