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¹life

noun \ˈlīf\

: the ability to grow, change, etc., that separates plants and animals from things like water or rocks

: the period of time when a person is alive

: the experience of being alive

plural lives \ˈlīvz\

Full Definition of LIFE

a : the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body

b : a principle or force that is considered to underlie the distinctive quality of animate beings

c : an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction

a : the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual

b : one or more aspects of the process of living <sex life of the frog>

: biography 1

: spiritual existence transcending physical death

a : the period from birth to death

b : a specific phase of earthly existence <adult life>

c : the period from an event until death <a judge appointed for life>

d : a sentence of imprisonment for the remainder of a convict's life

: a way or manner of living

: livelihood

: a vital or living being; specifically : person <many lives were lost in the disaster>

: an animating and shaping force or principle

: spirit, animation <saw no life in her dancing>

: the form or pattern of something existing in reality <painted from life>

: the period of duration, usefulness, or popularity of something <the expected life of the batteries>

: the period of existence (as of a subatomic particle) — compare half-life

: a property (as resilience or elasticity) of an inanimate substance or object resembling the animate quality of a living being

: living beings (as of a particular kind or environment) <forest life>

a : human activities

b : animate activity and movement <stirrings of life>

c : the activities of a given sphere, area, or time <the political life of the country>

: one providing interest and vigor <life of the party>

: an opportunity for continued viability <gave the patient a new life>

capitalized Christian Science : god 1b

: something resembling animate life <a grant saved the project's life>

See life defined for English-language learners

See life defined for kids

Origin of LIFE

Middle English lif, from Old English līf; akin to Old English libban to live — more at live

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to LIFE

Synonyms: bio, biography, memoir

Antonyms: lethargy, listlessness, sluggishness, torpidity

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

Rhymes with LIFE

fife, Fife, knife, rife, strife, wife

²life

adjective

: of or relating to life

: done as long as a person lives : existing or lasting throughout a person's life

Full Definition of LIFE

: of or relating to animate being

: lifelong <a life member>

: using a living model <a life class>

: of, relating to, or provided by life insurance <a life policy>

See life defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of LIFE

13th century

LIFE Defined for Kids

life

noun \ˈlīf\

plural lives \ˈlīvz\

Definition of LIFE for Kids

: the state characterized by the ability to get and use energy, reproduce, grow, and respond to change : the quality that plants and animals lose when they die

: the period during which a person or thing is alive or exists

: all the experiences that make up the existence of a person : the course of existence <I never heard of such a thing in my life!>

: existence as a living being <He saved my life.>

: a way of living <We studied the life of the ant.>

: the time when something can be used or enjoyed <the life of a battery>

: energy and spirit <They gave the party some life.>

: biography

Medical Dictionary

life

noun \ˈlīf\

plural lives \ˈlīvz\

Medical Definition of LIFE

a : the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional plant or animal from a dead body b : a state of living characterized by capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction

a : the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual b : a specific part or aspect of the process of living <sex life> <adult life>

—life·less \ˈlīf-ləs\ adjective