life span: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral
Quick answer
What does “life span” mean?
the length of time that a living thing, especially a human, lives or is expected to live.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the length of time that a living thing, especially a human, lives or is expected to live.
The period of time that something, such as a product, technology, or concept, continues to exist, function, or be relevant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Hyphenation varies; 'lifespan' is more common as one word in modern usage globally, but 'life span' remains standard in both. No significant meaning difference.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both variants.
Frequency
In contemporary English, the single-word form 'lifespan' is increasingly common, especially in digital/technical writing.
Grammar
How to Use “life span” in a Sentence
the life span of [NP]have a [ADJ] life span[VERB] the life spanVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “life span” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The lifespan data was collected over decades.
- They conducted a lifespan study on the local bird population.
American English
- Lifespan analysis is a key part of the research.
- We need to consider the lifespan costs of the equipment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the useful operational period of a product or asset before obsolescence or failure.
Academic
Used in biology, demography, and engineering to denote the length of survival or functional period.
Everyday
Commonly used when discussing health, pets, or the durability of consumer goods.
Technical
Precise measurement of survival time under specified conditions in scientific studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “life span”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “life span”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “life span”
- Using 'life spam' (spelling error). Using it to mean 'quality of life'. Confusing with 'shelf life' (for perishable goods).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. 'Lifespan' as one word is becoming more common, especially in digital texts. Dictionaries list both.
'Life expectancy' is a statistical average prediction for a population, often at birth. 'Life span' is the actual or potential length of an individual's life or an object's existence.
Yes, it's commonly used for products, technologies, batteries, and even abstract concepts like trends or ideas.
'Extend' and 'shorten' are very common (e.g., 'extend the life span of a battery').
the length of time that a living thing, especially a human, lives or is expected to live.
Life span is usually neutral in register.
Life span: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪf.spæn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪf.spæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To live out one's natural life span.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SPAN of your LIFE from birth to death.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY (with a beginning and an end point). TIME IS A CONTAINER (spanning a duration).
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, 'product life span' most closely refers to: