(~s)
1.
The ~ of an animal or plant is the series of changes and developments that it passes through from the beginning of its life until its death.
The dormant period is another stage in the ~ of the plant.
N-COUNT: usu with poss
2.
The ~ of something such as an idea, product, or organization is the series of developments that take place in it from its beginning until the end of its usefulness.
Each new product would have a relatively long ~.
N-COUNT