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
This is said to reduce heat generation, ease battery strain, and extend long-term battery lifespan.
—
Prakhar Khanna, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Although individual plants have a lifespan of 30-90 years, adventitious shoots grow up from roots.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 5 July 2025
Read the fine print of your agreement and be aware that your starting monthly price has a limited lifespan.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 5 July 2025
The pods themselves are designed to be durable enough to resist ocean corrosion and short circuits, with a lifespan of up to a decade when properly maintained.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 25 June 2025
Yet the lifespans of Europeans and Americans lengthened in the nineteenth century precisely because swaths of prairie were planted with wheat and hundreds of millions of cattle, pigs, and poultry could be killed for meat in industrial facilities.
—Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
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
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Prakhar Khanna, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Although individual plants have a lifespan of 30-90 years, adventitious shoots grow up from roots.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 5 July 2025
Read the fine print of your agreement and be aware that your starting monthly price has a limited lifespan.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 5 July 2025
The pods themselves are designed to be durable enough to resist ocean corrosion and short circuits, with a lifespan of up to a decade when properly maintained.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 25 June 2025
Yet the lifespans of Europeans and Americans lengthened in the nineteenth century precisely because swaths of prairie were planted with wheat and hundreds of millions of cattle, pigs, and poultry could be killed for meat in industrial facilities.
—Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Lifespan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifespan. Accessed 12 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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