Homonym: Lifecycle (Development)
A "lifecycle" refers to the series of stages that an organism or object goes through from its beginning to its end. In biology, this includes stages such as birth, growth, reproduction, and death. For example, the lifecycle of a butterfly includes the egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult stages.
In other contexts, like product development, a lifecycle describes the phases a product undergoes, from conception and design to production, use, and eventual disposal. This is often referred to as the Product Lifecycle, which helps businesses understand how to manage their products effectively over time.