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

But, perhaps most importantly, is the ability of such batteries to have longer life cycles because their cells are less prone to deterioration. —New Atlas, 20 Sep. 2025

That advantage compounds when applied across the entire life cycle of a project, from design to delivery. —John Akkara, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Finding additional examples could help astronomers better understand how often such ejections occur and shed new light on the complex life cycles of the universe's smallest galaxies. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Material health, widely seen as the foundation, requires a complete assessment of all chemical inputs across a product’s life cycle. —Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 19 Sep. 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