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

Humans seeding anthrax People can get caught in the life cycle of Bacillus anthracis. —Hannah Kinzer, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026

Auto batteries typically require hundreds of charge life cycles, whereas defense uses require only one to 20 cycles and can demand three to eight years of shelf life. —Michael Wayland, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026

Experiencing that life cycle of knowing where my food comes from and watching my uncles do the butchering and then eating it the same day through slow roasting was really impactful for me as a kid. —Claire Salinda, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026

Annual herbs complete their life cycle in a year and can't be continuously cultivated. —Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 11 Mar. 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