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
Throughout the school’s 50-year lifespan, funding was a constant struggle.
—
Karida L. Brown, Essence, 21 May 2025
Slow dominoes, perhaps—but the 140-year lifespan of aging rail infrastructure is looking increasingly hard to justify.
—Marianne Lehnis, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
All new battery chemistries aim to solve the biggest issues today, including high cost, heaviness, range loss, and lifespan issues.
—Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 13 May 2025
In addition to being more difficult to arrange in the vase, a short stem can compromise water absorption, which in turn will shorten the flower’s lifespan.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
Over the first three years of CSP’s lifespan, there were only two gangsters killed in the Nick, down from eight in the previous three.
—Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2025
Right whales are thought to live about 70 years, though the current average lifespan is about 65 for males and 45 for females due to human threats and activities.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 11 May 2025
With the average lifespan increasing, and breakthroughs in health and science expected to increase in the years ahead, too, Edelman says that the 60-40 portfolio cannot possibly provide investors with enough money for a longer life.
—Meredith Mutter, CNBC, 9 May 2025
Regular maintenance is an essential part of preserving your potting bench’s lifespan.
—Megan Newton, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 May 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Karida L. Brown, Essence, 21 May 2025
Slow dominoes, perhaps—but the 140-year lifespan of aging rail infrastructure is looking increasingly hard to justify.
—Marianne Lehnis, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
All new battery chemistries aim to solve the biggest issues today, including high cost, heaviness, range loss, and lifespan issues.
—Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 13 May 2025
In addition to being more difficult to arrange in the vase, a short stem can compromise water absorption, which in turn will shorten the flower’s lifespan.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
Over the first three years of CSP’s lifespan, there were only two gangsters killed in the Nick, down from eight in the previous three.
—Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2025
Right whales are thought to live about 70 years, though the current average lifespan is about 65 for males and 45 for females due to human threats and activities.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 11 May 2025
With the average lifespan increasing, and breakthroughs in health and science expected to increase in the years ahead, too, Edelman says that the 60-40 portfolio cannot possibly provide investors with enough money for a longer life.
—Meredith Mutter, CNBC, 9 May 2025
Regular maintenance is an essential part of preserving your potting bench’s lifespan.
—Megan Newton, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lifespan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifespan. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
life span
noun1
: 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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