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Definition of lifespan

lifespan

/ˈlaɪf.spæn/
life · span
Plural:lifespans
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lifespan Lexical Profile

lifespan Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The length of time for which a person, animal, or plant lives, or the typical maximum duration of life for a particular species.

Example

"Giant tortoises are famous for their remarkably long lifespan, often exceeding a century in the wild."

2

The period of time during which a manufactured object, machine, system, or institution remains functional or effective.

Example

"Regular maintenance and timely oil changes can significantly extend the lifespan of a car's engine."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for lifespan

Word Nuance & Usage

'Lifespan' refers to the biological maximum or actual duration of an individual organism's or object's existence, whereas 'life expectancy' is a statistical average estimating how long a member of a given population is likely to live.

• Nearby Words

liferaft
lifesaver
lifesaving
lifespan
lifestyle
lifetime
lifework

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 19th century as a compound of 'life' (from Old English 'lif', meaning animated existence) and 'span' (from Old English 'spann', originally the distance between the tips of a stretched thumb and little finger, later extended to a period of time).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Lifespan. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/lifespan
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