lifespan
noun
life·span
ˈlīf-ˌspan 
variants
or less commonly life span
plural lifespans also life-spans
1
: the average length of life of a kind of organism or of a material object especially in a particular environment or under specified circumstances
2
: the duration of existence of an individual
Examples of lifespan in a Sentence
the average lifespan of house cats
increase the human lifespan
Recent Examples on the Web
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
And keeping inflatables on all day does shorten their lifespan.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2025
The reactor design is classified as a fourth-generation nuclear system and is expected to have a 40-year operational lifespan.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 8 Dec. 2025
Cut trees are like long-lasting cut flowers and need to be kept hydrated to maximize their lifespan.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Dec. 2025
Longevity While the effects of garlic on human lifespan are difficult to prove, one Chinese study found that people who ate garlic regularly tended to live longer than those who ate it less than once a week.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 4 Dec. 2025
The bands help scientists track the birds throughout their lifetime, collecting information on individual birds' lifespans and movements.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 3 Dec. 2025
Putin faces no election; the only likely limit on his term is that of his natural lifespan.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025
So, to find other sources of the material, scientists have been turning to lithium-ion batteries that have reached the end of their lifespan, yet still have perfectly usable amounts of the metal inside.
—New Atlas, 30 Nov. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
And keeping inflatables on all day does shorten their lifespan.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2025
The reactor design is classified as a fourth-generation nuclear system and is expected to have a 40-year operational lifespan.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 8 Dec. 2025
Cut trees are like long-lasting cut flowers and need to be kept hydrated to maximize their lifespan.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Dec. 2025
Longevity While the effects of garlic on human lifespan are difficult to prove, one Chinese study found that people who ate garlic regularly tended to live longer than those who ate it less than once a week.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 4 Dec. 2025
The bands help scientists track the birds throughout their lifetime, collecting information on individual birds' lifespans and movements.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 3 Dec. 2025
Putin faces no election; the only likely limit on his term is that of his natural lifespan.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025
So, to find other sources of the material, scientists have been turning to lithium-ion batteries that have reached the end of their lifespan, yet still have perfectly usable amounts of the metal inside.
—New Atlas, 30 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lifespan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifespan. Accessed 9 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
lifespan
noun
variants
also life span
1
: the duration of existence of an individual
2
: the average length of life of a kind of organism or of a material object especially in a particular environment or under specified circumstances
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