life cycle

noun

1

: the series of stages in form and functional activity through which an organism passes between successive recurrences of a specified primary stage

2

: life history sense 2

3

: a series of stages through which something (such as an individual, culture, or manufactured product) passes during its lifetime

Examples of life cycle in a Sentence

the life cycle of a shark

Recent Examples on the Web

Most school buildings are built for a 50-year life cycle, Horn said — meaning Blanton is 20 years past its prime. —Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026

For some perspective, scientists have studied changes in the life cycle of great tits, a European bird. —Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026

Aging Infrastructure Much of the country’s electricity infrastructure was built in the 1960s and 1970s and some 70% of transmission lines are over 25 years old and approaching the end of their life cycle. —Simmone Shah, Time, 21 Jan. 2026

For some perspective, scientists have studied changes in the life cycle of great tits, a European bird. —CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for life cycle

• recycle
• motorcycle

Kids Definition

life cycle

noun

1

: the series of stages of form and activity through which a living thing passes from a beginning stage (as an egg) in one individual to the same stage in its offspring

2

: life history sense 1

Medical Definition

life cycle

noun

1

: the series of stages in form and functional activity through which an organism passes between successive recurrences of a specified primary stage

2

: life history sense 1a