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

The goal is to target thrips at every stage of their life cycle. —Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026

There’s also the life cycle mismatch. —April Roach,tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026

Menus are refreshed every six months, Bellegy adds, roughly the life cycle of a TikTok food trend. —Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026

And backup point guard Mike Conley turned 38 in mid-October and appears to have reached the end of his useful NBA life cycle. —Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

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