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
The excellent active noise-cancellation feature uses batteries with an 80-hour lifespan.
—
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
Normal operations still generate heat, and high temperatures can degrade performance and reduce lifespan.
—New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2026
The original Wylfa power station, once Britain’s oldest nuclear plant, concluded 44 years of operations in 2015, having reached the end of its natural lifespan.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Apr. 2026
Even small hail impacts can weaken protective layers, shorten a roof’s lifespan, and create vulnerabilities that may not surface until months later.
—Ethan Stone, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
The average lifespan of this diminutive Peruvian mammal, in captivity, is 25 years.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
That means Fatou has nearly doubled the lifespan of her wild counterparts — a fact that might spark big questions from curious kids about how animals age and why care makes such a difference.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Five Generations and Counting Fatou’s legacy extends well beyond her own remarkable lifespan.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2026
Today, these lovable lap dogs have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
—Katelyn Chef, Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026
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Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
Normal operations still generate heat, and high temperatures can degrade performance and reduce lifespan.
—New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2026
The original Wylfa power station, once Britain’s oldest nuclear plant, concluded 44 years of operations in 2015, having reached the end of its natural lifespan.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Apr. 2026
Even small hail impacts can weaken protective layers, shorten a roof’s lifespan, and create vulnerabilities that may not surface until months later.
—Ethan Stone, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
The average lifespan of this diminutive Peruvian mammal, in captivity, is 25 years.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
That means Fatou has nearly doubled the lifespan of her wild counterparts — a fact that might spark big questions from curious kids about how animals age and why care makes such a difference.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Five Generations and Counting Fatou’s legacy extends well beyond her own remarkable lifespan.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2026
Today, these lovable lap dogs have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
—Katelyn Chef, Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lifespan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifespan. Accessed 17 Apr. 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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