lifespan

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search
See also: life span

English

[edit]

Alternative forms

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From life +‎ span.

Pronunciation

[edit]

Noun

[edit]
English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia

lifespan (plural lifespans)

  1. The length of time for which an organism lives.
    Synonym: lifetime
    Hypernyms: timespan; < span
    Meronym: healthspan
    Coordinate term: healthspan
    Some clams have lifespans far longer than those of human beings.
    • 2012 March-April, Anna Lena Phillips, “Sneaky Silk Moths”, in American Scientist[1], volume 100, number 2, page 172:
      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.
    • 2017, BioWare, Mass Effect: Andromeda, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Nexus:
      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.
  2. (by extension) The length of time for which something exists or is current, valid, or usable.
    Synonyms: lifetime, working life (of durable goods)
    • 2002, Luis M Camarinha-Matos, Collaborative business ecosystems and virtual enterprises:
      The virtual enterprise forum developed several "classical" management functions for which resources were available throughout its lifespan.
    • 2021 January 30, “China’s first Hualong One nuclear reactor begins operations”, in AP News[2], archived from the original on 30 January 2021[3]:
      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.
[edit]

Translations

[edit]