lifetime

noun life·time \ ˈlīf-ˌtīm \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of lifetime

1 a : the duration of the existence of a living being (such as a person or an animal) or a thing (such as a star or a subatomic particle)

b : life 12

2 : an amount accumulated or experienced in a lifetime

a lifetime of regrets

See lifetime defined for English-language learners

See lifetime defined for kids

Examples of lifetime in a Sentence

a lifetime spent traveling the world
It would have taken me a lifetime to read all those books.
Childhood seems a lifetime ago now!
a chemical with a lifetime of only a few minutes
the lifetime of a planet

Recent Examples of lifetime from the Web

By coordinating with post-acute and primary health providers, these new delivery networks take on responsibility for their patients’ health over an entire lifetime, not just across a single episode of care.

— rita e. numerof, STAT, "Microhospitals and healthplexes offer a peek at the future of health care," 10 Apr. 2018
The Mexican star, who died in 2002 at age 87, acted in more than 47 films in her lifetime and was a muse to famous artists and writers like Diego Rivera and Jean Cocteau.

— alix langone, Time, "Mexican Film Icon María Félix's Life Is Being Celebrated On Her 104th Birthday," 8 Apr. 2018
Almost half of us will experience symptoms of these conditions in our lifetime.

— suzanne f. delbanco, Fortune, "Commentary: Why Employers Need to Take Employees’ Mental Health Seriously," 8 Apr. 2018
All of us who are born women have a lifetime of experience.

— nicole sperling, HWD, "Jessica Jones Creator Melissa Rosenberg on Power and Pitfalls of Female Rage," 21 Mar. 2018
The nuclear reactor will last the lifetime of the boat, avoiding costly and time-consuming reactor overhauls decades down the line.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Navy's Next Missile Submarines Will Have an 'Eye-Watering' Price Tag," 20 Mar. 2018
It is usually given only once in a person's lifetime, with booster shots every 10 years.

— abby, Houston Chronicle, "Man uses security cameras to spy on stay-at-home wife," 16 Mar. 2018
Though Barbie has been around since 1959, she's seen multiple changes in her lifetime and has had as many makeovers and reinventions as, well, the average person.

— rosemary donahue, Allure, "The New Frida Kahlo Barbie Features a Disappointing Lack of Unibrow and Facial Hair," 6 Mar. 2018
Get a $20 wok that will last you a lifetime, and find a good deal on that sushi rolling set.

— jakob polaco, kansascity, "Need kimchi kits? Miso? Green tea Kit Kats? Check out this Asian market guide," 31 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lifetime.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of lifetime

13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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lifetime Synonyms

Synonyms

continuance, date, duration, life, life span, run, standing, time;

Related Words

spell, stretch;

span, tenure, term;

hitch, tour, turn;

half-life;

age, longevity;

lifetime

adjective

Definition of lifetime

1 : lifelong

2 : of long duration or continuance

lifetime legislation

3 : measured or achieved over the span of a career

a baseball player's lifetime batting average

First Known Use of lifetime

1834

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

LIFETIME Defined for English Language Learners

lifetime

noun

Definition of lifetime for English Language Learners

: the time during which a person is alive
: a very long time
: the time during which something lasts or is useful

LIFETIME Defined for Kids

lifetime

noun life·time \ ˈlīf-ˌtīm \

Definition of lifetime for Students

: life 2

Learn More about lifetime

See words that rhyme with lifetime Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lifetime Spanish Central: Translation of lifetime Nglish: Translation of lifetime for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of lifetime for Arabic speakers

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lifetime

Definition of lifetime

Examples of lifetime in a Sentence

Recent Examples of lifetime from the Web

First Known Use of lifetime

lifetime Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

lifetime

Definition of lifetime

First Known Use of lifetime

Phrases Related to LIFETIME

Related Phrases

LIFETIME Defined for English Language Learners

lifetime

Definition of lifetime for English Language Learners

LIFETIME Defined for Kids

lifetime

Definition of lifetime for Students

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