Definition

Noun: 1. The series of stages in the development and life of an organism: The complete sequence of changes that a living thing goes through from its beginning as a fertilized cell (zygote) until it reaches maturity and produces a new generation. 2. A series of stages through which something passes between recurrences of a primary stage: A model describing the distinct phases in the existence of a product, system, project, or organization, from its creation or inception to its decline or termination.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Biology):
  • The life cycle of a butterfly includes the stages of egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult.
  • Understanding the life cycle of a parasite is crucial for developing effective treatments.
• Noun (General/Product):
  • The software is nearing the end of its life cycle and will no longer be supported after this year.
  • The project manager outlined the entire life cycle of the construction project, from planning to demolition.

Advanced Usage

• "Life cycle analysis/assessment (LCA)": A method used to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product's life, from raw material extraction to disposal.
  • The company conducted a life cycle analysis to measure the carbon footprint of its new packaging.

Variants and Related Words

• Lifecycle (noun): An alternative spelling, often used in technical or business contexts (e.g., product lifecycle, software lifecycle).
• Life-stage (noun): A specific period within a life cycle.

Synonyms

• Development cycle
• Growth cycle
• Biological cycle (specifically for organisms)
• Course of development

Related Phrases

• From cradle to grave: An idiom describing the entire life cycle of a product or system, from creation to disposal.
  • The new policy manages the waste from cradle to grave.
• Life span / Lifespan: Refers to the length of time for which a person, animal, or thing lives or functions, which is a component of its life cycle.
  • The average life span of a mayfly is only 24 hours.

Noun

1. the course of developmental changes in an organism from fertilized zygote to maturity when another zygote can be produced
2. a series of stages through which an organism passes between recurrences of a primary stage