élettartama

élettartama is a Hungarian term that translates to lifespan or life expectancy. It denotes the length of time a living organism, or a thing designed for use, is expected to remain alive or functional. In biology, élettartama describes the total life span of an organism from birth to death, as well as the typical or mean life expectancy within a population. Lifespan can be influenced by genetic factors, development, metabolism, disease, and environmental conditions. Researchers distinguish between maximum lifespan—the longest documented age of individuals of a species—and average or median life expectancy, which varies with age, sex, geography, and era.

In humans, life expectancy at birth has risen with advances in medicine, nutrition, and sanitation, but maximum lifespans remain around 110–120 years. In other species, lifespans vary widely: small mammals may live only a few years, while many trees live for centuries, and some insects have extremely brief lifespans. In clinical, agricultural, or ecological contexts, élettartama can also refer to the expected duration of viability or usefulness of a living organism under specific conditions.

In engineering and product design, élettartama can denote the service life or useful life of a device or component—the period during which it reliably fulfils its function, informing maintenance, replacement, and warranty decisions. Measuring élettartama relies on demographic data, longitudinal studies, survival analysis, and reliability testing. The term emphasizes both the potential longevity and the expected duration of practical viability in real-world conditions.