lifetime

A lifetime is the full stretch of a person's life, from birth to death. It is the story of all the years someone lives and all the things that happen in those years. We often use it when talking about something that happens during all the time a person is alive, as in "She learned more in her lifetime than she ever expected."

The word is also used for things that last a very long time or feel very special. A "lifetime warranty" usually means the product is covered for as long as the buyer owns it, or for the expected life of the product. The phrase "once in a lifetime" describes something rare and unforgettable, like a chance that may never come again.

"Lifetime" refers to the whole duration of a person's life, from birth until death. It includes everything that fills those years: experiences, events, relationships, work, and change. If you say, "She dedicated her lifetime to helping others," you mean she spent most or all of her life doing that work.

The word can also be used in a broader way to talk about something that lasts a very long time. A "lifetime membership" may mean access for as long as the member lives, or sometimes for as long as the company or service continues to exist. In the same way, a "lifetime warranty" often means coverage for the expected life of the product or for as long as the original owner keeps it, depending on the terms.

Some common phrases use the word in a more expressive way. "Once in a lifetime" describes something very rare and special, such as a trip, meeting, or opportunity that may happen only one time in all your years. "A lifetime supply" usually does not mean a supply that truly lasts until death; it usually means a very large amount, enough to last for many years or for normal use over a long period. In everyday English, the word can point to the length of a human life, the long life of a product or service, or an experience so rare that people remember it forever.