Lifespan Meaning
/ˈlaɪf.spæn/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe length of time for which an organism lives.
nounThe length of time for which something exists or is current, valid, or usable.
Sentence Examples
If you feed your dog properly, you can increase his lifespan.
Adopting a low calorie diet will increase your lifespan.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The average ____ of a housefly is only about thirty days, which is very short.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The average ____ of a domestic cat is around fifteen years, but some can live for much longer than that.
Word Origin & History
From life + span.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"What the devil happened to my year? Another little digit on my lifespan, what a bore."
— 2011, Felix Hagan, “Just Like All The Rest”, in Dawn Breaks, the Monster Wakes...:
"Last spring, the periodical cicadas emerged across eastern North America. Their vast numbers and short above-ground life spans inspired awe and irritation in humans—and made for good meals for birds and small mammals."
— 2012 March-April, Anna Lena Phillips, “Sneaky Silk Moths”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 19 Feb 2013, page 172:
"Asari Cultural VI: Due to our lifespan-sometimes reaching 1,000 years of age-we are patient in our decisions, and prefer long-term solutions over short-term gains."
— 2017, BioWare, Mass Effect: Andromeda, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Nexus:
"The virtual enterprise forum developed several "classical" management functions for which resources were available throughout its lifespan."
— 2002, Luis M Camarinha-Matos, Collaborative business ecosystems and virtual enterprises:
"The reactor, located in the city of Fuqing city in China’s southeastern Fujian province, was designed to have a 60-year lifespan, with its core equipment domestically produced."
— 2021 January 30, “China’s first Hualong One nuclear reactor begins operations”, in AP News, archived from the original on 30 Jan 2021:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The average ____ of a housefly is only about thirty days, which is very short.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The average ____ of a domestic cat is around fifteen years, but some can live for much longer than that.