life expectancy

noun

: the average lifespan of an individual

Examples of life expectancy in a Sentence

improvements in diet that have resulted in greater life expectancy for many people calculating the life expectancies of different social groups
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.
For those sent to the front, the average life expectancy stands at around two or three weeks, according to one Russian military blogger who follows the fighting closely. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026 After generations of improvement, life expectancy in this country has barely budged since the 2010s. — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2026 After all, the wish to live longer is universal, and the United States lags behind even the average life expectancy among OECD nations. — Peter Gosselin, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026 The pension system reform would include gradually raising the retirement age, currently between 65 and 67 years depending on the number of years worked, in line with life expectancy. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for life expectancy

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of life expectancy was in 1848

Browse Nearby Words

life everlasting
life expectancy
life experience
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Life expectancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life%20expectancy. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

life expectancy

noun
: the number of years that an individual or group of a certain age can expect to live on the average based on experience in the past for individuals or groups of the same kind

Medical Definition

life expectancy

noun
: an expected number of years of life based on statistical probability

Legal Definition

life expectancy

noun
: the average life span of an individual

More from Merriam-Webster on life expectancy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about life expectancy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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