life cycle

noun

1
: the series of stages in form and functional activity through which an organism passes between successive recurrences of a specified primary stage
2
: life history sense 2
3
: a series of stages through which something (such as an individual, culture, or manufactured product) passes during its lifetime

Examples of life cycle in a Sentence

the life cycle of a shark
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But stocks have got so low that, in 2024, the Alaska government, in conjunction with Canada, shut down fishing for king salmon on the Yukon River and its Canadian tributaries for seven years—one complete king-salmon life cycle. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026 The information is traceable and structured for use in tools like digital product passports and life cycle assessments. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026 The team used projections of emissions throughout the life cycle of batteries used for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage through 2050. — Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026 At large scale, autonomous management may require additional orchestration for provisioning, capacity, data placement and life cycle policies. — Paul Speciale, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for life cycle

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of life cycle was in 1855

Rhymes for life cycle

See All Rhymes for life cycle

Browse Nearby Words

life coach
life cycle
life everlasting
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Life cycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life%20cycle. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

life cycle

noun
1
: the series of stages of form and activity through which a living thing passes from a beginning stage (as an egg) in one individual to the same stage in its offspring
2
: life history sense 1

Medical Definition

life cycle

noun
1
: the series of stages in form and functional activity through which an organism passes between successive recurrences of a specified primary stage
2
: life history sense 1a

More from Merriam-Webster on life cycle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about life cycle

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