life span

life span
1. the longest period over which the life of any organism or species may extend, according to the available biological knowledge concerning it.
2. the longevity of an individual.
[1915-20]

* * *

life span,
1. a) the length of time that it is possible for a member of a given animal or plant species to live: »

Modern medicine has increased man's life span.

b) the length of time that such a member lives.
2. the actual or potential duration of existence of anything: »

The average life span of Governments in the Fourth Republic... (New York Times).

* * *

(also lifespan) n. the length of time for which a person or animal lives or a thing functions

the human life span

* * *

noun, pl ⋯ spans [count]
: the amount of time that a person or animal actually lives

the average life span of house cats

increase/lengthen the human life span

— often used figuratively

Recharging can extend the life span of a battery.

the life span of a building/appliance

the life span of a controversy


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Life span — refers to the typical length of time that any particular organism can be expected to live. It may also refer to:*Life expectancy, the average lifespan expected of a group *Maximum life span, the maximum lifespan observed in a group *Longevity,… …   Wikipedia

  • life span — līf .span n 1) the duration of existence of an individual 2) the average length of life of a kind of organism or of a material object esp. in a particular environment or under specified circumstances …   Medical dictionary

  • life span — life′ span n. 1) dvl the longest period over which the life of any organism or species may extend 2) dvl the longevity of an individual …   From formal English to slang

  • life span — index lifetime Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • life span — n. 1. LIFETIME (n. 1) 2. the longest period of time that a typical individual can be expected to live …   English World dictionary

  • life span — 1. the longest period over which the life of any organism or species may extend, according to the available biological knowledge concerning it. 2. the longevity of an individual. [1915 20] * * * Time between birth and death. It ranges from a… …   Universalium

  • life span genes — life span genes. См. гены продолжительности жизни. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • life span — /ˈlaɪf spæn/ (say luyf span) noun the longest period over which the life of any plant or animal organism or species may extend, according to the available biological knowledge concerning it. Compare life expectancy. Also, lifespan …  

  • life span — noun Date: 1898 1. the average length of life of a kind of organism or of a material object especially in a particular environment or under specified circumstances 2. the duration of existence of an individual …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • life span — see lifespan …   English dictionary

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