lifetime
Americannoun
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the time that the life of someone or something continues; the term of a life.
peace within our lifetime.
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Physics. mean life.
adjective
noun
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the length of time a person or animal is alive
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( as modifier )
a lifetime supply
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the length of time that something functions, is useful, etc
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The life tenant retains the right to use and occupy the property for their lifetime.
From MarketWatch
For example, the assassination of Franz Ferdinand that kicked off World War I had taken three weeks of negotiations and a lifetime of headaches, according to my mother.
From Literature
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People can start taking Social Security benefits as early as age 62, but they get a lower benefit amount for their lifetime.
From MarketWatch
Harrison Ford won the lifetime achievement prize after a six-decade career that has included roles in Star Wars, The Fugitive, Indiana Jones and Blade Runner.
From BBC
Ford joked, noting that “it’s a little weird to be getting a lifetime achievement award at the half-point of my career.”
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.