lifetime
Americannoun
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the time that the life of someone or something continues; the term of a life.
peace within our lifetime.
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Physics. mean life.
adjective
noun
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the length of time a person or animal is alive
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( as modifier )
a lifetime supply
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the length of time that something functions, is useful, etc
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physics the average time of existence of an unstable or reactive entity, such as a nucleus, excited state, elementary particle, etc; mean life
Etymology
Origin of lifetime
First recorded in 1175–1225, lifetime is from the Middle English word liftime. See life, time
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The run of six successive seasons in which Tottenham finished above Arsenal must seem a lifetime ago to both sets of fans.
From BBC
It's unique in the lifetime of many, many people who are watching.
From BBC
Black Sabbath star Ozzy Osbourne was awarded a posthumous lifetime achievement award, seven months after his death at the age of 76.
From BBC
In an unprecedented move, on Dec. 2, 2025, the AEA announced that it had placed a lifetime ban on Summers from all its conferences and other activities.
From Salon
Her half goes into an irrevocable trust to support the husband during his lifetime, and whatever is left later goes to the other named beneficiaries, such as their children.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
