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

Looking at a movie with anything but the overall, holistic view of a movie’s life cycle is the only way to rationally assess a movie’s performance, the source said. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 20 Nov. 2025

With this partnership, Austin FC will standardize its partnership life cycle—from contract obligations to in-season activations to recap reporting—within PlayMaker’s platform. —Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 14 Nov. 2025

And this film has barely begun its life cycle, right? —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025

Humans have spent 90 percent of our evolutionary life cycle, over hundreds of thousands of years, deeply connected to the outdoors. —Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 6 Nov. 2025

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