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
The 13-track record chronicles the lifespan of a relationship, from the exuberance of initial infatuation to the whiplash of begging for affection from a partner that was once so easily enamored.
—
Chelsey Sanchez,
CNN Money,
25 June 2026
Agave lifespans vary from one to 100 years, Assistant Manager of Learning Engagement Vanessa Callahan said in the video posted by Denver Botanic Gardens.
—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
24 June 2026
Doing both aerobic and resistance exercise was best Perhaps most important, the gains in lifespan associated with lifting came on top of any that people might be getting from aerobic exercise, since the researchers controlled for that kind of exercise.
—
Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2026
The hollow fiber filter physically removes bacteria and protozoa that cause diseases, as well as dirt and microplastics, and has a lifespan of 4,000 liters (1,000 gallons).
—
Brad Bourque,
The Verge,
23 June 2026
The Fountain of Youth is a thing of legend—there's no drink out there that can extend your lifespan on its own.
—
Caitlin Beale,
Health,
23 June 2026
Amodei predicts that, over the next five to ten years, AI will achieve, among other things, the reliable prevention and treatment of nearly all natural infectious disease, the elimination of most cancer, the prevention of Alzheimer’s and a doubling of the human lifespan.
—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
Throughout its lifespan, the station has served as a test bed for scientific research in microgravity and has in years past opened itself up to private commercial missions.
—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens and young adults, and remain among the leading causes of death across much of the lifespan.
—
David Risher,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Chelsey Sanchez,
CNN Money,
25 June 2026
Agave lifespans vary from one to 100 years, Assistant Manager of Learning Engagement Vanessa Callahan said in the video posted by Denver Botanic Gardens.
—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
24 June 2026
Doing both aerobic and resistance exercise was best Perhaps most important, the gains in lifespan associated with lifting came on top of any that people might be getting from aerobic exercise, since the researchers controlled for that kind of exercise.
—
Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2026
The hollow fiber filter physically removes bacteria and protozoa that cause diseases, as well as dirt and microplastics, and has a lifespan of 4,000 liters (1,000 gallons).
—
Brad Bourque,
The Verge,
23 June 2026
The Fountain of Youth is a thing of legend—there's no drink out there that can extend your lifespan on its own.
—
Caitlin Beale,
Health,
23 June 2026
Amodei predicts that, over the next five to ten years, AI will achieve, among other things, the reliable prevention and treatment of nearly all natural infectious disease, the elimination of most cancer, the prevention of Alzheimer’s and a doubling of the human lifespan.
—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
Throughout its lifespan, the station has served as a test bed for scientific research in microgravity and has in years past opened itself up to private commercial missions.
—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens and young adults, and remain among the leading causes of death across much of the lifespan.
—
David Risher,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lifespan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifespan. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
