life expectancy

noun

: the average lifespan of an individual

Examples of life expectancy in a Sentence

improvements in diet that have resulted in greater life expectancy for many people

calculating the life expectancies of different social groups

Recent Examples on the Web

American life expectancy has increased since Social Security’s creation, and so has the number of eligible recipients. —Louis Jacobson, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

In 2025, for the first time, due to falling birthrates and increasing life expectancy, working-age adults’ caring responsibilities will switch from being primarily focused on children to elderly parents. —Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

The global life expectancy at birth for a woman is 76 compared with 71 for a man. —Anne Marie Chaker, Time, 18 June 2025

The overall median life expectancy from symptom onset is 30 months, according to ALS United of Greater Chicago. —Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

life expectancy

noun

: the number of years that an individual or group of a certain age can expect to live on the average based on experience in the past for individuals or groups of the same kind

Medical Definition

life expectancy

noun

: an expected number of years of life based on statistical probability

Legal Definition

life expectancy

noun

: the average life span of an individual