lifetime

American  

[lahyf-tahym] / ˈlaɪfˌtaɪm /

noun

1. the time that the life of someone or something continues; the term of a life.

   peace within our lifetime.

2. Physics. mean life.

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adjective

1. for the duration of a person's life.

   He has a lifetime membership in the organization.

lifetime British  

/ ˈlaɪfˌtaɪm /

noun

1. 1. the length of time a person or animal is alive

   2. ( as modifier )

      a lifetime supply

2. the length of time that something functions, is useful, etc

3. physics the average time of existence of an unstable or reactive entity, such as a nucleus, excited state, elementary particle, etc; mean life

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Etymology

Origin of lifetime

First recorded in 1175–1225, lifetime is from the Middle English word liftime. See life, time

Example Sentences

It’s relatively easy to equalize the inheritance for your sons, even if you make gifts during your lifetime.

From MarketWatch

It was one of the gifts of a lifetime.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s not lost on me that had I not lost everything, I would not have found myself asking a friend to reach out to the greatest living American writer in my lifetime.

From Los Angeles Times

“I am not going to apologize, because during my lifetime no one sincerely apologized to me,” he said, according to the transcripts.

From The Wall Street Journal

‘The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• career
• life
• period