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

The newer generation, according to our predictions, will have a positive contribution margin, meaning that the life cycle of the vehicle should have positive raw margin. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Sep. 2025

This finding offers new insights into the life cycles of stars and the science of stellar explosions, challenging previous assumptions about nova recurrence rates and shell formation. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025

Seeds are the beginning of a plant’s life cycle, but a checklist of crucial steps needs to be taken to start their life cycle. —Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025

Waxing and waning illness was common, possibly owing to the parasite’s life cycle. —Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 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