longevity

noun lon·gev·i·ty \ län-ˈje-və-tē , lȯn- \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of longevity

1 a : a long duration of individual life

The members of that family are noted for their longevity.

b : length of life

a study of longevity

2 : long continuance : permanence, durability

longevity in office is also an asset
—Spencer Parratt

See longevity defined for English-language learners

See longevity defined for kids

Examples of longevity in a Sentence

His longevity was remarkable considering he had been so sick when he was a child.
Better medical treatment has led to greater longevity.
a study of human longevity
The longevity of a car's tires depends on how the car is driven.
They're trying to increase the product's longevity.

Recent Examples of longevity from the Web

Two blocks away is century-old Lagomarcino’s Confectionary, a 2006 James Beard America’s Classics winner because of quality and longevity.

— mary bergin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Beyond Chicago: 5 other Illinois cities to visit during this bicentennial year," 13 Apr. 2018
How Bungie addresses this with those weapon slot changes, and how those changes impact the speed and fun factor of multiplayer combat, will have a big effect on whether Destiny 2 can reclaim the popularity and longevity of its predecessor.

— nick statt, The Verge, "Destiny 2’s second expansion is called Warmind and launches on May 8th," 11 Apr. 2018
In a region where playing fields are in high demand from organized leagues and pickup teams, the upkeep and longevity of the surfaces have drawn attention from government officials, parents and community groups.

— shira stein, Washington Post, "Montgomery County Parks joins proposed class-action lawsuit over artificial turf fields," 7 Apr. 2018
In an era where max contracts reign supreme and longevity is key, Redick has shown this season that yes, there is still another way to do things.

— brendan marks, charlotteobserver, "How ex-Duke star J.J. Redick has survived bear-hugs, the eye test to thrive in NBA | Charlotte Observer," 1 Apr. 2018
Great progress has been made on size, weight, and longevity; I'd be thrilled if manufacturers would start using that progress to do more than shave off a few millimeters of thickness or grams of weight.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "The 25th-anniversary ThinkPad: Every laptop should add some retro appeal," 1 Apr. 2018
As treatments and longevity improved, many states also expanded Medicaid eligibility.

— heather gillers, WSJ, "Why Are States So Strapped for Cash? There Are Two Big Reasons," 29 Mar. 2018
The night before the Season 10 premiere, the 14 new queens gathered for a red carpet event on MTV's TRL, and shared their wisdom about Drag Race's impressive longevity and paradigm-shifting impact on pop culture.

— maeve mcdermott, USA TODAY, "Meet the queens of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 10 — and see how they're changing culture," 22 Mar. 2018
Jack Nicklaus dominated amateur golf at Ohio State, left school early, and redefined professional golf with power and a longevity that seemed to threaten eternity.

— bill livingston, cleveland.com, "Ohio State's Kyle Snyder: how does he rate with Buckeyes' greatest ever? -- Bill Livingston," 18 Mar. 2018

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

Did You Know?

As living conditions improve and the science of medicine advances, the longevity of the average American has increased greatly, from about 45 years in 1900 to over 75 years today. But the most impressive human longevity is nothing compared to the 400-year lifespan of an ocean clam found near Iceland, or the 5,000-year lifespan of the bristlecone pine, a tree found in the western U.S. We may use longevity to talk not only about actual lives but also of the useful "life" of things: the life of your car's tires or the shingles on your roof, for example.

Origin and Etymology of longevity

Late Latin longaevitas, from Latin longaevus long-lived, from longus long + aevum age — more at aye

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1569

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

LONGEVITY Defined for English Language Learners

longevity

noun

Definition of longevity for English Language Learners

: long life : the fact of living for many years
: length of life
: the length of time that something or someone lasts or continues

Medical Dictionary

longevity

noun lon·gev·i·ty \ län-ˈjev-ət-ē, lȯn- \

medical Definition of longevity

plural longevities

1 : a long duration of individual life

attributed his longevity to daily exercise and a healthy diet

2 : length of life

studies in longevity

Learn More about longevity

Spanish Central: Translation of longevity Nglish: Translation of longevity for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of longevity for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about longevity

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longevity

Definition of longevity

Examples of longevity in a Sentence

Recent Examples of longevity from the Web

Did You Know?

Origin and Etymology of longevity

Other Biology Terms

LONGEVITY Defined for English Language Learners

longevity

Definition of longevity for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

longevity

medical Definition of longevity

Learn More about longevity

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Origin and Etymology of longevity

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LONGEVITY Defined for English Language Learners

longevity

Definition of longevity for English Language Learners

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