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

Although the statistical models controlled for several lifestyle factors, other unmeasured variables could influence both sleep patterns and life expectancy. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 12 Dec. 2025

After being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on May 9, Marla was given a life expectancy of six to 18 months. —Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025

Alongside changes to birth and fertility rates, and increases in life expectancy, immigration also plays a role, Peter Berg, a professor of employment relations at Michigan State University, told Newsweek. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025

According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, male polar bears have a median life expectancy of nearly 21 years, but there's not enough data on female lifespans. —Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025

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