- (n.) An essential constituent of life, especially the blood.
- (n.) Figuratively: The potential or animating principle, also, the period of duration, of anything that is conceived of as resembling a natural organism in structure or functions; as, the life of a state, a machine or a book; authority is the life of government.
- (n.) The living or actual form, person, thing or state; as, a picture or a description from the life.
- (n.) A history of the acts and events of a life; a biography; as, Johnson wrote the life of Milton.
- (n.) A certain way or manner of living with respect to conditions, circumstances, character, conduct, occupation, etc.; hence, human affairs; also, lives, considered collectively, as a distinct class or type; as, low life; a good or evil life; the life of Indians or of miners.
- (n.) The system of animal nature; animals in general or considered collectively.
- (n.) The potential principle or force, by which the organs of animals and plants are started and continued in the performance of their several and cooperative functions; the vital force, whether regarded as physical or spiritual.
- (n.) Animation; spirit; vivacity; vigor; energy.
- (n.) That which imparts or excites spirit or vigor; that upon which enjoyment or success depends; as, he was the life of the company or of the enterprise.
- (n.) The state of being which begins with generation, birth or germination, and ends with death; also, the time during which this state continues; that state of an animal or plant in which all or any of its organs are capable of performing all or any of their functions; -- used of all animal and vegetable organisms.
- (n.) Enjoyment in the right use of the powers; especially, a spiritual existence; happiness in the favor of God; heavenly felicity.
- (n.) Of human beings: The union of the soul and body; also, the duration of their union; sometimes, the deathless quality or existence of the soul; as, man is a creature having an immortal life.
- (n.) Something dear to one as one's existence; a darling; -- used as a term of endearment.
- (n.) A person; a living being, usually a human being; as, many lives were sacrificed.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). life. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/life/definitions/2027816 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "life" http://smartdefine.org/life/definitions/2027816 (accessed September 20, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, life, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/life/definitions/2027816>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "life" 27 May 2011. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/life/definitions/2027816> |