lifetime

lifetime — noun

1. the whole period of time that a person, animal, or thing exists, from when it be

1.nounB1
Definition

the whole period of time that a person, animal, or thing exists, from when it begins to when it ends

Example

Shirin has seen many changes in her lifetime, from black-and-white TV to smartphones.

in [possessive] lifetime as a time reference frame

The new bridge is designed to last a lifetime without needing major repairs.

last a lifetime = remain functional forever

Common collocations
  • in one's lifetime
  • during someone's lifetime
  • last a lifetime
  • spend a lifetime
  • whole lifetime
  • entire lifetime
  • throughout one's lifetime
Synonyms
  • lifespan

    more factual or scientific; often used for animals, plants, or products rather than personal experience

  • life

    broader meaning that includes experiences and quality, not just duration

  • existence

    more formal and abstract; used for things that are not alive

2. the period of time that a product, machine, or material continues to function pr

2.nounB2
Definition

the period of time that a product, machine, or material continues to function properly or be safe to use

Example

The battery lifetime of this laptop is about eight hours of normal use.

battery lifetime = duration a battery powers a device

Proper maintenance can extend the lifetime of your car's engine by several years.

extend the lifetime = make something last longer

Common collocations
  • battery lifetime
  • average lifetime
  • extend the lifetime
  • expected lifetime
  • long lifetime
  • short lifetime
  • product lifetime
Synonyms
  • durability

    focuses on how well something resists wear or damage, not a specific time period

  • shelf life

    used specifically for food or products that decay or expire

  • service life

    more technical; used in engineering or manufacturing contexts

Idioms

the experience / opportunity / chance of a lifetime

idiom

the best, most exciting, or most important experience that a person will ever have in their whole life

The trip to Antarctica was the adventure of a lifetime for Paloma and her family.

For a young artist like Ingrid, the residency offer was the chance of a lifetime.

once in a lifetime

idiom

so rare and special that it is not expected to happen again to the same person

Seeing the northern lights in person was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Amihan.

Eitan knew that such a job offer came once in a lifetime, so he accepted immediately.

the chance, etc. of a lifetime

idiom

A very special opportunity that will probably never come again.

Maya got the job offer of a lifetime and moved to Paris.

Is this the adventure of a lifetime you've been dreaming about?

lifetime — adjective

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words refer to how long something lasts, but they differ in scope and tone. Lifetime (B1) emphasises the full duration from birth to death (or creation to end) — it is the most common word for everyday personal time frames: 'in my grandmother's lifetime.' Lifespan (B2) is more factual and scientific; it is used for measurable, objective durations such as 'the average human lifespan has increased' or 'the lifespan of a housefly.' Life (A1) is much broader — it covers experiences, events, and quality, not just duration: 'she led a full life' does not mean the same as 'a full lifetime.' Use lifetime for talking about the whole time window available to someone or something; use lifespan for cold, measurable facts; use life when you include everything that happened and how it felt.

lifetime ↗lifespan ↗life

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

Lifetime comes from the Old English compound 'līftīma,' where 'līf' meant 'life' and 'tīma' meant 'time.' It was originally used only for the duration of a human life. By the 1800s, the word had extended to the existence of objects and materials. Its use as an adjective describing career achievements developed in the 20th century, especially in American sports writing.