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

By integrating material- and supplier-level data at scale, the new tool provides more precise and actionable data than life cycle assessments, the company said. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 4 Feb. 2026

Behind the scenes, Gass said the brand has improved its assortment planning and life cycle management resulting in lower promotions and higher full-price selling. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Feb. 2026

When to Start Annual Herbs from Seed Annual herbs are plants whose life cycle is completed in one year. —Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2026

One or two leaves turning yellow at a time is part of the plant's natural life cycle. —Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 31 Jan. 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