Longevity
lɒnˈdʒɛvɪti
Definitions
2 meaningsLong life; the length of time a person, animal, or thing exists.
lɒnˈdʒɛvɪti
The length of a person's or animal's life.
The doctor emphasized the importance of exercise for promoting longevity.
💡 Simply: Imagine your grandma who lived to be 100! Longevity is how long someone or something lives, like the 'life span' of a plant or a person. If your pet lives a really long time, you'd say it has good longevity.
👶 For kids: It means how long something lives. Like, how many years a turtle lives.
More Examples
The study examined the relationship between diet and longevity in lab animals.
The company attributed its success to the longevity of its customer relationships.
How It's Used
"Scientists are studying ways to increase human longevity."
"Factors affecting the longevity of older adults include diet and lifestyle."
"The longevity of the company is due to its commitment to innovation."
The ability to last a long time; the state of having a long existence or continuance.
lɒnˈdʒɛvɪti
The length of time that something lasts or continues.
The museum celebrated the longevity of its collection.
💡 Simply: It's also about how long something *else* lasts, not just living things. Like the longevity of a building or the lifespan of a company. Think: how long will this thing *keep going*?
👶 For kids: It also means how long something stays around. Like how long a building or toy can last.
More Examples
The longevity of the company was a result of its focus on customer satisfaction.
We invested in materials that ensured the longevity of the structure.
How It's Used
"The longevity of the Roman Empire is a testament to its organization."
"The longevity of the business was due to its commitment to innovation."
"Manufacturers are seeking components that enhance product longevity."
Idioms & expressions
long in the tooth
Old; of advanced age.
"My grandfather is getting a bit long in the tooth, but he's still sharp as a tack."
From Latin *longaevitas* ('long life'), from *longus* ('long') and *aevum* ('age, lifetime').
The word has been used since the late 16th century, evolving from a more general concept of long life to specific applications in biology and related fields.
Memory tip
Think of a long, *lived* story - longevity.