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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of lifetime

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

Example Sentences

He was given it not for an instant but for a lifetime of constructiveness.

From The Wall Street Journal

The show has been the “ride of a lifetime,” Cusack said.

From Los Angeles Times

Individual contracts linked to geopolitical events already generate hundreds of millions of dollars in cumulative trading volume over their lifetimes.

From The Wall Street Journal

He said the flooding of the Uba River was unprecedented in his lifetime.

From Barron's

They have exceeded their planned lifetime and become essential for maintaining long term magnetic field records, supporting operational services, and guiding future satellite missions.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• career
• life
• period