life expectancy

noun

: the average lifespan of an individual

Examples of life expectancy in a Sentence

improvements in diet that have resulted in greater life expectancy for many people

calculating the life expectancies of different social groups

Recent Examples on the Web

An October report from Industrious Labs found that most residents in Gary are in the top 10% nationally for being most at-risk for developing asthma and at-risk of low life expectancy. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025

The lowest life expectancy in the city is among black men, who live on average 10 years lower than any other men. —Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 28 July 2025

Human beings who seemed like ants to him from his vantage point — all of them [were] the same, pursuing the same silly goals with a life expectancy of maybe 60-to-70 years. —Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025

At the same time, Erin was at her work computer, Googling and scrolling through the treatment section, seeing only supportive care options — and a life expectancy that typically only reaches the mid- to late-teens. —Jordan Greene, People.com, 8 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

life expectancy

noun

: the number of years that an individual or group of a certain age can expect to live on the average based on experience in the past for individuals or groups of the same kind

Medical Definition

life expectancy

noun

: an expected number of years of life based on statistical probability

Legal Definition

life expectancy

noun

: the average life span of an individual