life cycle

noun

1. Biology.,  the continuous sequence of changes undergone by an organism from one primary form, as a gamete, to the development of the same form again.

2. a series of stages, as childhood and middle age, that characterize the course of existence of an individual, group, or culture.

3. any similar series of stages.

   the life cycle of a manufactured product.

life cycle

noun

1. the series of changes occurring in an animal or plant between one development stage and the identical stage in the next generation

life cycle

1. The series of changes in the growth and development of an organism from its beginning as an independent life form to its mature state in which offspring are produced. In simple organisms, such as bacteria, the life cycle begins when an organism is produced by fission and ends when that organism in turn divides into two new ones. In organisms that reproduce sexually, the life cycle may be thought of as beginning with the fusion of reproductive cells to form a new organism. The cycle ends when that organism produces its own reproductive cells, which then begin the cycle again by undergoing fusion with other reproductive cells. The life cycles of plants, algae, and many protists often involve an alternation between a generation of organisms that reproduces sexually and another that reproduces asexually.

2. See more at alternation of generations

Word History and Origins

Origin of life cycle¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

The two cubs, one male and one female, are 14 months old — essentially adolescents in the mountain lion life cycle.

From Los Angeles Times

The last phase of an octopus’ life cycle is known as senescence.

From Los Angeles Times

Many humans are infected when they’re nipped by nymph ticks, a period in their life cycle when they’re roughly the size of a poppy seed and barely visible to the naked eye.

From Los Angeles Times

Numerous sequels and crossovers with the “Predator” films later, and it’s clear that life cycle of the xenomorph is far from over.

From Salon

But their life cycle is odd and fascinating.

From BBC

Related Words

• biological clock