lifetime
lifetime — noun
1. the whole period of time that a person, animal, or thing exists, from when it be
the whole period of time that a person, animal, or thing exists, from when it begins to when it ends
Shirin has seen many changes in her lifetime, from black-and-white TV to smartphones.
in [possessive] lifetime as a time reference frame
The new bridge is designed to last a lifetime without needing major repairs.
last a lifetime = remain functional forever
In the lifetime of our grandparents, people rarely traveled abroad for holidays.
A giant tortoise can live more than a century, making its lifetime longer than a human's.
2. the period of time that a product, machine, or material continues to function pr
the period of time that a product, machine, or material continues to function properly or be safe to use
The battery lifetime of this laptop is about eight hours of normal use.
battery lifetime = duration a battery powers a device
Proper maintenance can extend the lifetime of your car's engine by several years.
extend the lifetime = make something last longer
For kitchen appliances, the average lifetime has increased thanks to better materials.
Buying the extended warranty doubled the expected lifetime of our air conditioning unit.
- durability
focuses on how well something resists wear or damage, not a specific time period
- shelf life
used specifically for food or products that decay or expire
- service life
more technical; used in engineering or manufacturing contexts
lifetime — adjective
1. relating to the total achievements, records, or statistics that a person earns d
relating to the total achievements, records, or statistics that a person earns during their entire time in a particular job or sport
The coach received a lifetime achievement award for his forty years of service.
lifetime achievement award = career-long contribution award
Owen's lifetime batting average was the highest in the league's history.
Adisa's lifetime earnings from music placed him among the top artists globally.
When Liam retired, the team honored his lifetime contribution to youth baseball in the city.
- career-long
more direct but less common; used in the same sports and professional contexts
- lifelong
refers to personal dedication spanning a whole life, not specifically a career; broader in meaning
用法筆記
This adjective can only be used before a noun (attributive position). You cannot say 'Her achievement was lifetime'; instead say 'She received a lifetime achievement award.'