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

The figure also depicts how U.S. life expectancy was stagnant between approximately 2010 and 2020, unlike other wealthy, industrialized nations. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Comparing the life expectancy of people born from 1900 to 2000, a study published Monday found that in many southern states, life expectancy changed very little, especially for women. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2025

By the 1840s, as its port grew to become the second largest in the British empire behind London, life expectancy on the shores of the Mersey fell to just below 26. —Simon Hughes, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Consider that there is a 17-year life expectancy gap between the healthiest and wealthiest and poorest and sickest neighborhoods in Chicago, as reported by the Cook County Health Atlas. —Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 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