life span

noun

1. the longest period over which the life of any organism or species may extend, according to the available biological knowledge concerning it.

2. the longevity of an individual.

life span

noun

1. the period of time during which a human being, animal, machine, etc, may be expected to live or function under normal conditions

Word History and Origins

Origin of life span¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Research from the University of Kansas’ Life Span Institute found that parents rated AI-generated text as more credible, moral and trustworthy than “expert-generated content,” even as researchers found inaccurate information was being given to the parents regarding children’s health.

From Salon

But subsequent analyses show this variant is not necessary or sufficient to extend life span.

From Science Magazine

The Mediterranean island, they thought, offered ideal conditions for studying the genes and habits that can influence life span: Its population is relatively isolated, with low rates of immigration and little genetic diversity.

From Science Magazine

When Pes and his colleagues first visited Sardinia in the 1990s, they had speculated that the secret to the population’s longevity could be in their DNA—rare gene variants associated with an extended life span.

From Science Magazine

"The chance of a flood occurring at least once in an 80-year lifetime is 55% for a 1-in-100-year flood and 15% for a 1-in-500-year flood. The likelihood of experiencing such devasting floods over a life span is much higher than people might think."

From Science Daily