Definition of life:

• That state of animals and plants, or of an organized being, in which its natural functions and motions are performed, or in which its organs are capable of performing their functions. Webster. The sum of the forces by which death is resisted. Richat.
• Something dear to one as one's existence; a darling; -- used as a term of endearment.
• generally of physical life ( Genesis 2:7 ; Luke 16:25 , etc.); also used figuratively ( 1) for immortality ( Hebrews 7:16 ); ( 2) conduct or manner of life ( Romans 6:4 ); ( 3) spiritual life or salvation ( John 3:16 John 3:17 John 3:18 John 3:36 ); ( 4) eternal life ( Matthew 19:16 Matthew 19:17 ; John 3:15 ); of God and Christ as the absolute source and cause of all life ( John 1:4 ; John 5:26 John 5:39 ; 11:25 ; 12:50 ).
• the condition of living or the state of being alive; " while there's life there's hope"; " life depends on many chemical and physical processes"
• living things collectively; " the oceans are teeming with life"
• animation and energy in action or expression; " it was a heavy play and the actors tried in vain to give life to it"
• a living person; " his heroism saved a life"
• the organic phenomenon that distinguishes living organisms from nonliving ones; " there is no life on the moon"
• the course of existence of an individual; the actions and events that occur in living; " he hoped for a new life in Australia"; " he wanted to live his own life without interference from others"
• a motive for living; " pottery was his life"
• a characteristic state or mode of living; " social life"; " city life"; " real life"
• the period between birth and the present time; " I have known him all his life"
• a prison term lasting as long as the prisoner lives; " he got life for killing the guard"
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Animation; spirit; vivacity; vigor; energy.
• 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.
• The living or actual form, person, thing, or state; as, a picture or a description from the life.
• A person; a living being, usually a human being; as, many lives were sacrificed.
• The system of animal nature; animals in general, or considered collectively.
• An essential constituent of life, esp. the blood.
• A history of the acts and events of a life; a biography; as, Johnson wrote the life of Milton.
• Enjoyment in the right use of the powers; especially, a spiritual existence; happiness in the favor of God; heavenly felicity.
• Something dear to one as one's existence; a darling; - used as a term of endearment.
• The state of being alive; living existence; vitality; union of soul and body; a living person; as, but one life was saved; living beings collectvely; as, animal life; period between birth and death; as, all the years of a man's life; manner of living; as, a life of pleasure; a biography; as, the life of Tennyson; animation; as, to be full of life; the moving spirit; as, he was the life of the housebold.
• 1. Vitality, the essential condition of existence of animals and plants; the state of existence characterized by metabolism. 2. The period of utility of any object, as of an electric battery, for example.
• State of existence.
• State of living: animate existence: union of soul and body: the period between birth and death: present state of existence: manner of living: moral conduct: animation: a living being: system of animal nature: social state: human affairs: narrative of a life: eternal happiness, also He who bestows it: a quickening principle in a moral sense:- pl. LIVES, livz.
• Animate existence; manner of living; animation; human affairs; biography.
• The state of being alive; vital principle; vitality.
• Animate existence.
• Human affairs.
• 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.
• That state of an animal and a plant in which it is capable of performing its natural functions; animate existence; the union of soul and body; the present state of existence; the time from birth to death; period of existence; manner of living; conduct in regard to morals; course of living; source of living; soul; blood, the supposed vehicle of animation; animals in general; animal being; system of animal nature; spirit; animation; resolution; the living form; general state of man, or of social manners; rank in society; human affairs; a person; biographical narration; supreme felicity; the Author and Giver of supreme felicity; a quickening principle. See Live.

Usage examples for life

1. A man's life is his own.  The Gun-Brand by James B. Hendryx

2. I never heard such a name in my life!"  Castle Richmond by Anthony Trollope

3. He is dear as life to me.  The Measure of a Man by Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr

4. Was that a life?  The Clique of Gold by Emile Gaboriau