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
There's also the robot lifespan to consider; a March 12 SEC filing cited a four-year depreciation period for them.
—
Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Longer lifespans, less linear careers, a rising cost of living, and tighter government budgets are redefining what retirement security even means.
—Chris Mahoney, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Researchers have developed a hybrid AI model that significantly improves the accuracy of predicting lithium-ion battery lifespan.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
At the same time, repairs will be made to the north pier in Pinellas County that will extend the lifespan by 20 years, according to DeSantis.
—Carter Weinhofer, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
According to the Mayo Clinic, the difference between lifespan and health span is roughly 12 years.
—Helen Dennis, Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
To prolong their lifespan, plastic cutting boards can be put in the dishwasher for cleaning; wooden ones can be cleaned with a diluted bleach solution or disinfectant.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
Hummingbirds often have a very short lifespan; most do not live longer than a single year, and those who are lucky enough can live up to four years.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Since Tuck Everlasting was first published in 1975, the average American’s lifespan has increased from 72 to 80.
—Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Longer lifespans, less linear careers, a rising cost of living, and tighter government budgets are redefining what retirement security even means.
—Chris Mahoney, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Researchers have developed a hybrid AI model that significantly improves the accuracy of predicting lithium-ion battery lifespan.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
At the same time, repairs will be made to the north pier in Pinellas County that will extend the lifespan by 20 years, according to DeSantis.
—Carter Weinhofer, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
According to the Mayo Clinic, the difference between lifespan and health span is roughly 12 years.
—Helen Dennis, Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
To prolong their lifespan, plastic cutting boards can be put in the dishwasher for cleaning; wooden ones can be cleaned with a diluted bleach solution or disinfectant.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
Hummingbirds often have a very short lifespan; most do not live longer than a single year, and those who are lucky enough can live up to four years.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Since Tuck Everlasting was first published in 1975, the average American’s lifespan has increased from 72 to 80.
—Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lifespan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifespan. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
lifespan
noun
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
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