as in duration
the period during which something exists, lasts, or is in progress
the lifetime of the camera's batteries was so short we couldn't get through a day trip without having to replace them
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Recent Examples of lifetime
Rather than simply reworking the interiors and materials, Grillo’s task was to give physical form to a lifetime of experiences.
—
Ludovica Stevan, Architectural Digest, 14 Feb. 2026
The study determined both annual costs and lifetime costs, examining factors such as the annual cost of a pack of cigarettes per day, health care expenditures, income losses and other costs associated with smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
For perspective, in the general population, about 9% to 10% of Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.
—Emily Hemendinger, The Conversation, 13 Feb. 2026
By his own account, Marc Anthony has played more than 10,000 shows in his lifetime.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lifetime
Ludovica Stevan, Architectural Digest, 14 Feb. 2026
The study determined both annual costs and lifetime costs, examining factors such as the annual cost of a pack of cigarettes per day, health care expenditures, income losses and other costs associated with smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
For perspective, in the general population, about 9% to 10% of Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.
—Emily Hemendinger, The Conversation, 13 Feb. 2026
By his own account, Marc Anthony has played more than 10,000 shows in his lifetime.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lifetime
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lifetime
Noun
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Such extreme and long-duration dimming events are incredibly rare.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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Texas experiences winter cold fronts every year, but what set the February 2021 freeze apart was its magnitude and its duration.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Houston Chronicle,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Throughout its lifespan, the station has served as a test bed for scientific research in microgravity and has in years past opened itself up to private commercial missions.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
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Much of San Diego’s infrastructure is overdue for replacement because it was built during the city’s population boom of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s and has outlasted its lifespan.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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He has been awarded Arkansas Sportswriter of the Year 10 times and has been inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and Arkansas Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame.—
Wally Hall,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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And yet, all throughout that time, Earth was not just inhabited, but life was thriving and rapidly evolving on the surface, despite all the physical, chemical, and biological changes that have occurred over those geologically long timescales.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Now, Cuba may be experiencing the most profound moment of economic uncertainty that the island’s residents have endured in decades if not over their entire lives.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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Salazar-Thompson’s ingenious new version of Hammett’s noir masterpiece features five versatile performers transforming between roles to bring 1920s San Francisco’s underbelly to hilarious life.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lifetime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lifetime. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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