useful life

noun

: the amount of time during which something is in good enough condition to be used

the useful life of a satellite

Examples of useful life in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web When removed from the reactor at the end of their useful life, usually about two years, the rods are highly radioactive and, if unshielded, can deliver a lethal dose within seconds to anyone standing within about a foot. —

Philip Diehl, The Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2024 These materials are inherently resistant to many vulnerabilities that affect wood, such as rot, decay and pest infestation, thus extending the pergola’s useful life. —

Ascend Agency, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2024 The older of the two spans, built in 1951, has about 15 to 20 years of useful life left, Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said in an interview last month. —

Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 25 July 2024 They must be forced to store enough fuel and retain the capability for spacecraft to steer safely out of space when their useful life is over. —

The Editors, Scientific American, 17 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for useful life

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'useful life.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.