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

Meadowbrook Nature Preserve in Valparaiso is a place to explore and learn more about the life cycle of the amphibian. —Deena Butterfield, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025

The manufacturer must ensure every device remains secure, functional and compliant throughout its life cycle. —Thomas Ryd, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Using life cycle assessment methodology, which is based on ISO 14040 and 14044 standards, the study examined clothing from 908 renters from The Volte’s community of 300,000 monthly active users, who rent from almost 15,000 Australian lenders. —Patty Huntington, Footwear News, 25 July 2025

This allowed the scientists to model the life cycle of such a collection of stars from a gas-rich, dense infancy through gradual expansion and gradual gas and star loss over the course of 800 million years. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 July 2025

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