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

Synonyms of lifespan

• duration
• life
• lifetime
• time

Examples of lifespan in a Sentence

the average lifespan of house cats

increase the human lifespan

Recent Examples on the Web

Only 25% believed washing had a major effect on clothing lifespan, suggesting many people underestimate the wear caused by laundering. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2026

Typically, a grass field’s lifespan is about seven events, meaning the Bills will likely have to resod yet again before the end of the season. — John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

The upshot is that each species has a maximum natural lifespan. — Venki Ramakrishnan, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026

And while their estimate of a billion tons of water is much higher than what's believed to exist, Elvis and McDowell say finding additional water could extend a large city's lifespan. — Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for lifespan

• businessman
• canavan
• caravan
• constantan
• dragoman
• fisherman
• handyman
• harmattan
• journeyman
• marianne
• middleman
• minivan

Kids Definition

life span

noun

: the average length of life of a living thing or of the persistence of a material object under specified circumstances or in a particular environment

Medical Definition

lifespan

noun

ˈlīf-ˌspan 

variants also life span

1

: 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