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Synonyms

life history

American  

noun

Biology.
  1. the series of living phenomena exhibited by an organism in the course of its development from inception to death.

  2. life cycle.


life history British  

noun

  1. the series of changes undergone by an organism between fertilization of the egg and death

  2. the series of events that make up a person's life

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of life history

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Yet so much of the media coverage around Kennedy, especially lately, has focused more on his personality and lurid life history rather than the chaos and destruction he has sown.

From Salon • Nov. 29, 2025

Baleen whales’ life history – particularly the age when females start breeding and the interval between calves – is strongly influenced by their potential lifespan.

From Salon • Dec. 27, 2024

Spotted hyenas are highly social and a model for social status-related differences in life history traits that are accompanied by differences in physiological processes and health.

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2024

"We need to make sure there's always an abundant supply of food available at all times of year, especially when animals are in stressful life history stages like reproduction and migration," Plowright said.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2024

He went on a bit then, filling me in on the rest of his limp life history.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx