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

Since filmmaking is both costly and complex, the French model structures a film’s life cycle to reflect levels of investment — allowing those who contribute the most to appear earliest in the chronology, and those who follow to participate proportionally. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025

Understanding Spider Mites The life cycle of these pests is rapid. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025

Cattle farmers are well-equipped to deal with dwindling flock sizes, which are a part of about a decade-long cycle of a natural swelling and contracting of livestock populations as result of cattles’ biological life cycle, Peel said. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025

To better measure its greenhouse gas impact, Eastman has changed its life cycle assessment (LCA) data gathering methods, transitioning from a reliance on secondary sources toward collecting primary data from its suppliers, supplemented by secondary databases. —Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 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