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

Economic growth is the reason extreme poverty has become much rarer around the world, life expectancy has increased dramatically, and most Americans now own many things that were unobtainable luxuries decades ago.

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But for most, the disease progresses quickly and life expectancy is just a few years.

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Daisy, or Daisy Mae, as Koerner sometimes calls her, is well beyond average life expectancy for a golden retriever, and he wanted her to live out her life on the property that was their sanctuary.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The average life expectancy of African elephants is 70 years.

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Japan has the world's longest life expectancy, and is known for often being home to the world's oldest living person - though some studies contest the actual number of centenarians worldwide.

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Related Words

• longevity