life expectancy

noun

: the average lifespan of an individual

Examples of life expectancy in a Sentence

improvements in diet that have resulted in greater life expectancy for many people calculating the life expectancies of different social groups
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What to Do: Calculate your RMDs: The IRS provides a formula based on your account balance and life expectancy. Andrew Rosen, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 Meanwhile, patients suffer as a result, facing fragmented care, rising healthcare costs, and declining life expectancy. Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025 Yet the papacy is also an office and advances in modern medicine and life expectancy have presented a new scenario. Christopher Lamb, CNN, 1 Mar. 2025 Each country was chosen based on several factors, including standard of living and life expectancy, population size, number of hospitals and data availability. David Faris, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for life expectancy

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of life expectancy was in 1848

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Life expectancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life%20expectancy. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

life expectancy

noun
: the number of years that an individual or group of a certain age can expect to live on the average based on experience in the past for individuals or groups of the same kind

Medical Definition

life expectancy

noun
: an expected number of years of life based on statistical probability

Legal Definition

life expectancy

noun
: the average life span of an individual

More from Merriam-Webster on life expectancy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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