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

In October, Hogler received the shock of a lifetime: He is going to have to share ownership of his land.

From The Wall Street Journal

After the foundation launched its Lapland campaign, they took 26 families, including 61 children, from across the country to go on "a trip of a lifetime".

From BBC

For about five minutes, which he says felt like a lifetime, Abdullah held him there until police arrived.

From BBC

In Perpetua’s lifetime, Christians were a tiny and sometimes persecuted minority, but after the conversion of Emperor Constantine in the early fourth century, the Roman Empire came under Christian rule.

From The Wall Street Journal

Her transplanted liver, however, is expected to last for the rest of her lifetime.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• career
• life
• period