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

In the 20th century, the average life expectancy of Americans increased by 30 years. —Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

For the sake of political control, the Administration is jeopardizing an enterprise that added decades to life expectancy in the United States and made America the world leader in technology and innovation. —Atul Gawande, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025

An October report from Industrious Labs found that most residents in Gary are in the top 10% of U.S. residents most at-risk for developing asthma and at-risk of low life expectancy. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2025

My mother is now in hospice with a life expectancy of weeks to months. —Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 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