life expectancy

noun

1. the probable number of years remaining in the life of an individual or class of persons determined statistically, affected by such factors as heredity, physical condition, nutrition, and occupation.

life expectancy

noun

1. Also called: expectation of life. the statistically determined average number of years of life remaining after a specified age for a given group of individuals

Word History and Origins

Origin of life expectancy¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Our life expectancy keeps rising - and as it does, age-related illnesses, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, become increasingly common.

Read more on Science Daily

In 1950, life expectancy for women was 71 years, and it’s nearly 80 years now.

Read more on Salon

Touring, performing, and rock'n'roll lifestyles have previously been found to lower life expectancy for musicians.

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And yet, it has the lowest life expectancy among large, wealthy countries.

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He wants to understand why the average life expectancy of the U.S., at 79, lags behind the others by up to six years.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• longevity