Word
lifespan
Phoneticslife·span, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫaɪfˌspæn/
UK/lˈaɪfspæn/
Definitions
01biological life
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Science
n. the length of time that a person, animal, or plant usually lives.
n. the period of time between the birth and death of a biological organism.
“The average lifespan of a domestic cat is around fifteen years.”
“Advances in medical technology and public health have significantly extended the human lifespan in most developed nations over the last century.”
Synonyms
02functional duration
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the length of time that a machine or product stays useful or works correctly.
n. the period during which an inanimate object, system, or concept remains functional, valid, or relevant.
“Using the wrong charger can shorten the lifespan of your phone battery.”
“The architectural firm designed the bridge with a projected lifespan of one hundred years, accounting for both material fatigue and rising sea levels.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“That difference allows researchers to observe aging and lifespan outcomes in dogs much more quickly than would be possible in human studies.” “Scientists know far less about the gradual changes that occur in a healthy brain across an individual's normal lifespan.” Etymology
From life + span.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/lifespan