plural lives
ˈlīvz 
1
a
: the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body
b
: a principle or force that is considered to underlie the distinctive quality of animate beings
c
: an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism (see metabolism sense 1), growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction
2
a
: the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual
children … are the joy of our lives—
Agnes S. Turnbull
Agnes S. Turnbull
b
: one or more aspects of the process of living
sex life of the frog
3
: biography sense 1
the life of George Washington
4
: spiritual existence transcending (see transcend sense 1c) physical death
his craving … for the release into the life to come—Rodney Gilbert
Rodney Gilbert5
a
: the period from birth to death
b
: a specific phase of earthly existence
adult life
c
: the period from an event until death
a judge appointed for life
d
: a sentence of imprisonment for the remainder of a convict's life
6
: a way or manner of living
the life of the colonists
7
: livelihood
The fishing village drew its life from the sea.
8
: a vital or living being
9
: an animating and shaping force or principle
the life of the constitution … has been not logic but experience—F. A. Ogg and Harold Zink
F. A. Ogg and Harold Zink11
: the form or pattern of something existing in reality
painted from life
12
: the period of duration, usefulness, or popularity of something
the expected life of the batteries
13
: the period of existence (as of a subatomic particle) compare half-life
14
: a property (such as resilience (see resilience sense 1) or elasticity) of an inanimate (see inanimate sense 1) substance or object resembling the animate quality of a living being
15
: living beings (as of a particular kind or environment)
forest life
16
a
: human activities
b
: animate activity and movement
stirrings of life
c
: the activities of a given sphere, area, or time
the political life of the country
17
: one providing interest and vigor
life of the party
18
: an opportunity for continued viability
gave the patient a new life
19
20
: something resembling animate life
a grant saved the project's life
see also get one's life back together, get one's life together, piece one's life back together, put one's life back together, take one's own life
1
: of or relating to animate being
2
: lifelong
a life member
3
: using a living model
a life class
4
: of, relating to, or provided by life insurance
a life policy
Synonyms
Examples of life in a Sentence
Noun
He believes that God gives life to all creatures.
She was happy and healthy for most of her life.
The people in her family tend to have long lives.
I've known her all my life.
He is nearing the end of his life.
People can expect to change jobs several times in their life.
They've been waiting their whole life for an opportunity like this.
What do you really want out of life?
All this paperwork has made life much more difficult.
The details of everyday life can be fascinating.
Adjective
the life force in all things
He was given a life sentence in prison.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 7 Dec. 2024
The ordinary stuff of domestic life is evident all around them: laundry drying outside a window, or an older sibling’s toys strewn in a corner.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024
The Editors, National Review, 23 Feb. 2024
Among the injured people, one was critically hurt and two had non-life threatening injuries.
—Andrea Vacchiano, Fox News, 3 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for life 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Watch Hot Frosty on Netflix Family Switch The Walker family members are all caught up in their individual lives and beginning to drift apart.
—Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 7 Dec. 2024
The ordinary stuff of domestic life is evident all around them: laundry drying outside a window, or an older sibling’s toys strewn in a corner.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Their concerns are legitimate and consistent with respect for human life from conception, but the pro-life movement has nevertheless always been divided over IVF, and even many of those most skeptical of IVF do not think this is the proper moment to open a new legal or political front against it.
—The Editors, National Review, 23 Feb. 2024
Among the injured people, one was critically hurt and two had non-life threatening injuries.
—Andrea Vacchiano, Fox News, 3 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for life
Dictionary Entries Near life
Cite this Entry
“Life.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
life
1 of 2 noun
plural lives
ˈlīvz
1
a
: the quality that separates plants and animals from such things as water or rock : the quality that plants and animals lose when they die
b
: a state of a living thing marked especially by capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction
2
a
: all the experiences that make up the existence of a person
never heard of such a thing in all my life
b
3
a
: the period during which a person, animal, or plant lives
b
: a specific part of living
adult life
c
: the period from an event until death
remained friends for life
4
: a way or manner of living
the life of the ant
5
: a living being
many lives were saved
6
: energy or spirit in action or expression
eyes full of life
still some life left in the coals
7
: the form or pattern of something that exists in actual fact
painted from life
looks larger than life
8
: the period of usefulness, popularity, or existence of something
battery life
the life of an insurance policy
9
: living beings (as of a kind or place)
forest life
10
: living activity and movement
stirrings of life
streets humming with life
11
: one providing interest and vigor
the life of the party
life
2 of 2 adjective1
: of or relating to living existence
the life force
2
: lifelong
a life member
Medical Definition
life
noun
plural lives
ˈlīvz
1
a
: the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional plant or animal from a dead body
b
: a state of living characterized by capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction
2
a
: the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual
b
: a specific part or aspect of the process of living
sex life
adult life
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