life cycle

noun

1

: the series of stages in form and functional activity through which an organism passes between successive recurrences of a specified primary stage

2

: life history sense 2

3

: a series of stages through which something (such as an individual, culture, or manufactured product) passes during its lifetime

Examples of life cycle in a Sentence

the life cycle of a shark

Recent Examples on the Web

Around the world, Habitat builds and renovates homes, increasing the use of sustainable natural resources and construction practices while reducing the emission of greenhouse gases throughout a home’s life cycle. —Jonathan Reckford, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024

The Product Environmental Footprint is a methodology that would assess how companies measure the environmental impact of their products throughout their entire life cycle, from the start of the supply chain through disposal. —Rhonda Richford, WWD, 5 Dec. 2024

Of course, the different pay is fueled by a shorter season, where the leagues are in their life cycle, and their overall revenue. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 4 Dec. 2024

That said, a life cycle analysis published in 2018 found that if an artificial Christmas tree is used for at least five years before being discarded, the overall environmental impact compared with a fresh tree was the same. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

life cycle

noun

1

: the series of stages of form and activity through which a living thing passes from a beginning stage (as an egg) in one individual to the same stage in its offspring

2

: life history sense 1

Medical Definition

life cycle

noun

1

: the series of stages in form and functional activity through which an organism passes between successive recurrences of a specified primary stage

2

: life history sense 1a