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

Sustainability is a major emphasis for the Jordan team, who endeavor to utilize an entire plant through its life cycle, whether collecting fava blossoms for plate garnishes or using red shiso blossoms in salads. —Anna Katherine Clemmons, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026

But those extreme highs typically come in between years of lows, and the present-day Mets are in a different phase of their life cycle. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026

Market segmentation, especially demographic segmentation based on age, loci, socioeconomic status index, and household life cycle, also became frequent in market analysis. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026

Continuous coverage and viral content extend the life cycle of every new revelation. —Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for life cycle

• recycle
• motorcycle

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