lifelong

Lifelong is an adjective meaning lasting or existing for the entire duration of a person's life. It can describe processes, commitments, or conditions that extend from birth to death, or that are maintained over a long period. The term is commonly used to contrast with terms like short-term or temporary, emphasizing continuity across a life span.

In everyday usage, lifelong modifies various nouns to indicate enduring characteristics or relationships, such as lifelong friendship, lifelong ambition, or lifelong learning. In biology or medicine, it may describe conditions, effects, or dependencies that persist throughout an individual's life.

Lifelong learning is a central concept. It denotes the ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge for personal and professional development, extending beyond formal education. Since the late 20th century, governments and organizations, including UNESCO and the OECD, have promoted lifelong learning as a framework for workforce adaptability, social inclusion, and personal growth. Policy initiatives emphasize access to adult education, flexible learning pathways, and recognition of prior learning.