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
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 best way to combat mosquitoes is by interrupting their life cycle, consistently dumping out containers, refreshing water in birdbaths, and adding Mosquito Dunks to wet areas that can't be easily drained.
—
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2024
That would include manufacturing supply chains and the full product life cycle.
—Bloomberg, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2024
Some plug-in hybrids are going head-to-head with EVs on full life cycle pollution.
—Angela Dewan, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024
The company’s software solutions are focused on protecting privileged accounts, which have become a critical target in the life cycle of cyberattacks.
—Charles Rotblut, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
The volume of content being churned out every day has skyrocketed, the life cycle of each piece of media has grown shorter and social media platforms continue to inflate public metrics, devaluing previously impressive online stats.
—Taylor Lorenz, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024
Many of the funds included on our list are still early in their life cycle.
—Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024
Crane flies are attracted to different things at different times in their life cycle.
—The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024
But the picture changes over their whole life cycle.
—Angela Dewan, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2024
That would include manufacturing supply chains and the full product life cycle.
—Bloomberg, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2024
Some plug-in hybrids are going head-to-head with EVs on full life cycle pollution.
—Angela Dewan, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024
The company’s software solutions are focused on protecting privileged accounts, which have become a critical target in the life cycle of cyberattacks.
—Charles Rotblut, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
The volume of content being churned out every day has skyrocketed, the life cycle of each piece of media has grown shorter and social media platforms continue to inflate public metrics, devaluing previously impressive online stats.
—Taylor Lorenz, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024
Many of the funds included on our list are still early in their life cycle.
—Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024
Crane flies are attracted to different things at different times in their life cycle.
—The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024
But the picture changes over their whole life cycle.
—Angela Dewan, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'life cycle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near life cycle
Cite this Entry
“Life cycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life%20cycle. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
life cycle
noun1
: 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
Medical Definition
life cycle
noun1
: the series of stages in form and functional activity through which an organism passes between successive recurrences of a specified primary stage
More from Merriam-Webster on life cycle
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about life cycle
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