1. plural of afterlife; the existence or state of being that is believed to follow death
Usage: usually used in plural when referring to multiple religious or philosophical conceptions of life after death
2. plural of afterlife; a period of continued existence or relevance of something after its original purpose or time
Usage: used metaphorically to describe the lasting impact or second phase of a person's work, career, or cultural artifact

Examples

• Different religions teach different beliefs about afterlives.
• Many cultures have developed rich traditions about what afterlives might be like.
• The artist's paintings found new afterlives in museums decades after her death.
• The novel experienced several afterlives as it was adapted into films and stage productions.
• Philosophers have long debated the nature of possible afterlives.
• His scientific discoveries had remarkable afterlives in modern technology.