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
Others fail to target specific tissues over an animal’s full lifespan.
—
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
This philosophy, according to the ecomotive team, dramatically reduces repair costs and extends the vehicle's usable lifespan.
—New Atlas, 11 Dec. 2025
The use of an old box spring can cause mattress sagging and shorten the lifespan of your mattress, which some manufacturers note can reach up to 10 years.
—Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 10 Dec. 2025
This will allow your tires to wear more evenly and extend their lifespan.
—Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Leaving chargers plugged in increases fire risks and shortens charger lifespan due to overheating and voltage exposure.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2025
Value patterns in men’s obituaries shifted more across the lifespan than those in women’s.
—Kyle Fiore Law, The Conversation, 8 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
And keeping inflatables on all day does shorten their lifespan.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2025
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Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
This philosophy, according to the ecomotive team, dramatically reduces repair costs and extends the vehicle's usable lifespan.
—New Atlas, 11 Dec. 2025
The use of an old box spring can cause mattress sagging and shorten the lifespan of your mattress, which some manufacturers note can reach up to 10 years.
—Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 10 Dec. 2025
This will allow your tires to wear more evenly and extend their lifespan.
—Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Leaving chargers plugged in increases fire risks and shortens charger lifespan due to overheating and voltage exposure.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2025
Value patterns in men’s obituaries shifted more across the lifespan than those in women’s.
—Kyle Fiore Law, The Conversation, 8 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
And keeping inflatables on all day does shorten their lifespan.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lifespan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifespan. Accessed 19 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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