life expectancy

noun

: the average lifespan of an individual

Examples of life expectancy in a Sentence

improvements in diet that have resulted in greater life expectancy for many people

calculating the life expectancies of different social groups

Recent Examples on the Web

Throughout most of human history, average life expectancy at birth hovered somewhere in the mid‑20s. —Ken Dychtwald, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026

Public health data illustrate stark differences in life expectancy across racial groups in the United States. —Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2026

Italy consistently ranks among the countries with the highest life expectancy, and Sardinia is recognized as a Blue Zone region — one of a handful of places in the world with notable centenarian populations. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026

Italy ranks among the highest life expectancy countries globally, and Sardinia is recognized as a Blue Zone region with notable centenarian populations. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

life expectancy

noun

: the number of years that an individual or group of a certain age can expect to live on the average based on experience in the past for individuals or groups of the same kind

Medical Definition

life expectancy

noun

: an expected number of years of life based on statistical probability

Legal Definition

life expectancy

noun

: the average life span of an individual