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
Although the ponds have an eight- to 10-year lifespan, they will be replaced every five years, Osibodu said.
—
Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
Strip Shingles, also called three-tab, are the most basic and economical, but have the shortest lifespan (typically have a 20-30 year warranty).
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 June 2025
These tricks will extend the already impressive lifespan of the board.
—Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2025
Its lifespan on the Rock Streaming Songs list is far more impressive.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
This inexpensive knife sharpener sharpens, straightens, and polishes your beloved cooking utensils, extending the blade’s lifespan.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2025
In addition to roadway improvements, Valparaiso City Services is focused on $76 million of generational capital improvements in addition to yearly capital replacements to both upgrade and extend the lifespan of the city’s water and sewer infrastructure.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025
In this new study, the team tried a different method using microfossil analysis on teeth and documented what the pigs had been eating over their lifespan.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 June 2025
This non-mechanical method also eliminates wear and ensures an ultra-fast response with a switch lifespan that could run to tens of millions of keystrokes.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
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Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
Strip Shingles, also called three-tab, are the most basic and economical, but have the shortest lifespan (typically have a 20-30 year warranty).
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 June 2025
These tricks will extend the already impressive lifespan of the board.
—Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2025
Its lifespan on the Rock Streaming Songs list is far more impressive.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
This inexpensive knife sharpener sharpens, straightens, and polishes your beloved cooking utensils, extending the blade’s lifespan.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2025
In addition to roadway improvements, Valparaiso City Services is focused on $76 million of generational capital improvements in addition to yearly capital replacements to both upgrade and extend the lifespan of the city’s water and sewer infrastructure.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025
In this new study, the team tried a different method using microfossil analysis on teeth and documented what the pigs had been eating over their lifespan.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 June 2025
This non-mechanical method also eliminates wear and ensures an ultra-fast response with a switch lifespan that could run to tens of millions of keystrokes.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lifespan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifespan. Accessed 4 Jul. 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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