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.
On the other hand, hunger declined to historically unprecedented levels, food prices fell, life expectancy rose, and countless new industries emerged to absorb the workers no longer needed in the fields. — Ali Kashani, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026 The median life expectancy for a giraffe in human care is 20 years, according to the association. — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026 According to the Mayo Clinic, the disease is fatal, with patients experiencing a life expectancy of two to five years once symptoms start. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026 Many other wealthy countries spend less money to get better outcomes – fewer premature deaths, longer health and life expectancies, more equitable access to care and so on. — Joshua R. Ehrlich, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026 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

life everlasting
life expectancy
life experience
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Life expectancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/life%20expectancy. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about life expectancy

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