lifespan

variants also life span
Definition of lifespannext
as in duration
the period during which something exists, lasts, or is in progress I saw no need to pay more for a better-built computer that would just grow obsolete before the end of its lifespan

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lifespan Solid-state breakthrough Solid-state batteries replace liquid or gel electrolytes with solid materials, improving safety, energy density, and lifespan. Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026 Whether your mattress is brand new or nearing the end of its lifespan, investing in a mattress pad is a wise and cost effective way to protect and extend the life of your mattress. Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026 The most famous historic example is the Phoebus cartel, an early 20th-century alliance between lightbulb manufacturers who agreed to limit the lifespans of their bulbs to force more frequent replacements. Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026 While offloading Kayvon Thibodeaux isn’t close to a fair swap, the Giants would immediately secure an upgrade to the investment made on Abdul Carter and extend the lifespan of star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who appeared to decline last season amid the team’s struggles. Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 This will extend the lifespan of the bridge and ensure long-term structural integrity. Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026 The lifespan of windows depends on many factors, like the materials they’re made from, how they’re built and how they’ve been maintained. Brittany Nims, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026 By 1966, the original two-year lifespan had long been exceeded, prompting the launch of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird as a direct technological replacement for the Dragon Lady. David Szondy march 29, New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026 After decades of research, there is little doubt that nutrition plays a critical role in promoting health across the lifespan. Christopher Duggan, STAT, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lifespan
Noun
  • New York — US stocks slid and the Dow closed in correction Friday as uncertainty about the duration of the war with Iran and nerves about energy inflation continued to weigh on markets.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
  • If those flights go well, NASA hopes to launch one, and possibly two, lunar landing missions in 2028 before beginning work to build a moon base near the lunar south pole for long-duration stays on the surface.
    William Harwood, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The technology is sweeping almost every profession while also creeping into people’s personal lives, sometimes with devastating consequences.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
  • No mean feat, considering the brand’s first 24 hotels are set in remote, leafy locations that feel worlds away from real life.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Hikes to your overnight at San Pedrillo Station are longer and slower, and you’ll be rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime immersion in the pristine jungle.
    Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Throughout her lifetime, muralist and collector Mary Ingebrand-Pohlad — who splits her time between Minnesota and California — has built a collection of paintings, sculptures and religious art that showcases the intersection of the geography of the American West with Latin American culture.
    Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • In January 2023, McCarthy again moved to block Swalwell's reappointment to the Intelligence Committee after Republicans reclaimed the House majority, this time succeeding.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Rachel Barber The national average retail price of a gallon of gasoline surpassed $4 for the first time in more than three years, as the Iran war continues to drive oil costs up and raise prices at the pump.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lifespan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lifespan. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster