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lifespan

lifespan

50 3.5
Length of time people, animals, or things last
  • noun
  • /ˈlaɪfˌspæn/
translation icon : esperanza de vida
  • The average lifespan of a house cat is around 15 years.
  • an average lifespan
  • human lifespan
  • a short lifespan

The average lifespan of white men has gone down.

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Examples

  • Women in today's society are living longer, with an average lifespan of 80 years.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Our average lifespan is 78 in developed nations.

  • The average lifespan of white men has gone down.

  • In other countries of the world, the lifespan is increasing.

  • So our health is increasing our lifespan, but our wealth is not keeping up with it.

  • And these critical changes can genuinely extend lifespan and improve health along the way.

  • Average chinchilla lifespan is probably two to four years.

  • Properly stored polyester film has an estimated lifespan of more than 500 years.

    Academic text (2013)
  • While some endure year after year, others have the lifespan of a mayfly.

    Academic text (2011)
  • In many developed countries, the lifespan of people has increased significantly over the last century.

Synonyms

lifetime
vslifespan
948 1.6

The whole time that a person, animal or thing exists

focuses on measuring how long something functions rather than full lived span
life
vslifespan
612 1.0

The time a thing exists or works before it stops

measures that period's length as a functional time span rather than experience
length
vslifespan
213 1.0

The amount of time something lasts

is used for measurable functioning time rather than general temporal measure
duration
vslifespan
104 2.8

How long something lasts

applies specifically to existence or functioning time rather than general time
life expectancy
vslifespan
  • Specialized
52 3.0

Average number of years people are expected to live

measures actual total time an individual exists rather than a statistical average
longevity
vslifespan
45 5.5

A long life or time that something lasts

refers to measured total time rather than the positive long-life quality
durrance
vslifespan
  • Archaic
9.9

An old word for the length of time something lasts

names the same temporal length but in archaic or rare wording

How Long

longevity
45 5.5
lifespan
50 3.5
life expectancy
  • Specialized
52 3.0

Surface Forms

lifespan singular
lifespans plural

Morphology

lifespan = life + span (transparent) = life + span

A straightforward compound of 'life' + 'span' meaning the length/duration of life; the meaning is directly derivable from its parts.

Etymology

Lifespan is a simple compound of life and span, and span means 'length' or 'stretch', as in wingspan. So lifespan is the 'length' of time a person, animal, or thing lives or lasts.