life
noun
\ ˈlīf
\
\
plural lives\ ˈlīvz
\
\
Definition of life
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: 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 (see metabolism sense 1), growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction
2a
: the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual
children … are the joy of our lives— Agnes S. Turnbull
b
: one or more aspects of the process of living
sex life of the frog
3
: biography sense 1
the life of George Washington
4
: spiritual existence transcending (see transcend sense 1c) physical death
his craving … for the release into the life to come— Rodney Gilbert
5a
: 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
6
: a way or manner of living
the life of the colonists
7
: livelihood
The fishing village drew its life from the sea.
9
: an animating and shaping force or principle
the life of the constitution … has been not logic but experience— F. A. Ogg & Harold Zink
11
: the form or pattern of something existing in reality
painted from life
12
: the period of duration, usefulness, or popularity of something
the expected life of the batteries
13
: the period of existence (as of a subatomic particle) — compare half-life
14
: a property (such as resilience (see resilience sense 1) or elasticity) of an inanimate (see inanimate sense 1) substance or object resembling the animate quality of a living being
15
: living beings (as of a particular kind or environment)
forest life
16a
: 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
17
: one providing interest and vigor
life of the party
18
: an opportunity for continued viability
gave the patient a new life
20
: something resembling animate life
a grant saved the project's life