lifespan

• life span

life +‎ span

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lifespan (plural lifespans)

1. The length of time for which an organism lives.
   • 2012 March-April, Anna Lena Phillips, “Sneaky Silk Moths”, in American Scientist‎, volume 100, number 2, page 172:

     Last spring, the periodical cicadas emerged across eastern North America. Their vast numbers and short above-ground life spans inspired awe and irritation in humans—and made for good meals for birds and small mammals.

   • 2017, BioWare, Mass Effect: Andromeda, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Nexus:

     Asari Cultural VI: Due to our lifespan-sometimes reaching 1,000 years of age-we are patient in our decisions, and prefer long-term solutions over short-term gains.

   Some clams have lifespans far longer than those of human beings.

2. (by extension) The length of time for which something exists or is current or valid.
   • 2002, Luis M Camarinha-Matos, Collaborative business ecosystems and virtual enterprises:

     The virtual enterprise forum developed several "classical" management functions for which resources were available throughout its lifespan.

• lifetime

• for life, lifelong