life
noun
uk/laɪf/ usplural lives uk/laɪvz/ [ C ]
the amount of time that something exists or works:
the life of a mortgage/loan/investment He would reach retirement during the life of the mortgage.
begin/start life The firm began life as a direct marketing company.
[ C ]
the amount of time that something can be used:
Increasing the battery life of the phone is important.
If the maintenance continues at its current level, the useful life of the facility will be significantly shortened.
[ C or U ]
the time that someone is alive, the things that happen to them, and the way they spend their time:
The hit TV series was inspired by the life of the comedian Chris Rock.
She says she was inspired to a life of public service by her father.
Matt is someone who enjoys life to the full.
[ C ]
the time that someone spends doing particular things:
personal/private life This job doesn't leave much time for a personal life.
I've met a lot of interesting people in my working life.
[ U ]
a way of living that is typical of a particular place or situation:
city/country/town life I'm not somebody who longs for city life.
corporate/civilian/military life
daily/day-to-day/everyday life
See also
depreciable life
economic life
expectation of life
job for life
non-life
shelf life