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
While indoor cats can live into their early twenties, stray cats have a much shorter life span.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
The engineering and manufacturing development contract is valued at over $20 billion, and the winning company could secure hundreds of billions in orders over the program's multi-decade life span.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
To extend its life span and reduce expensive repairs, empty the water tank between uses and store your mop without moist cleaning pads on it.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
Longevity Most wool laundry balls have a life span of about 1,000 washes.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025
Most wool laundry balls have a life span of about 1,000 washes or two to three years.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025
The Central Valley is home to four major runs of Chinook salmon that are genetically different from one another, specifically in the gene that controls the timing of their migratory life span.
—Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
However, perovskite solar cells currently have a shorter life span than silicon solar cells.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 2025
One study using mice noted that grapes reduced fat deposits in the liver and may even extend life span.
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 27 Jan. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
The engineering and manufacturing development contract is valued at over $20 billion, and the winning company could secure hundreds of billions in orders over the program's multi-decade life span.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
To extend its life span and reduce expensive repairs, empty the water tank between uses and store your mop without moist cleaning pads on it.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
Longevity Most wool laundry balls have a life span of about 1,000 washes.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025
Most wool laundry balls have a life span of about 1,000 washes or two to three years.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025
The Central Valley is home to four major runs of Chinook salmon that are genetically different from one another, specifically in the gene that controls the timing of their migratory life span.
—Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
However, perovskite solar cells currently have a shorter life span than silicon solar cells.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 2025
One study using mice noted that grapes reduced fat deposits in the liver and may even extend life span.
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 27 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lifespan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lifespan. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
life span
noun1
: 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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