延寿 (yán shòu) literally combines 延 (yán), meaning 'to extend' or 'to delay', and 寿 (shòu), meaning 'life span' or 'longevity'. Together, the term means 'to prolong life' or 'to extend one's lifespan'. It is commonly used in health, traditional Chinese medicine, and wellness contexts — for example, when discussing herbs, practices like qigong or tai chi, or lifestyle habits believed to support longevity. While it can appear in formal writing and classical texts, modern usage tends to be somewhat literary or semi-formal.

The word carries a positive, aspirational connotation and often appears in compound terms such as 延寿药 (yán shòu yào, 'life-prolonging medicine') or 延寿术 (yán shòu shù, 'longevity techniques'). It is rarely used in casual daily speech but may appear in health articles, advertisements for wellness products, or discussions about aging gracefully. Note that 延寿 is not typically used to describe immediate medical interventions; rather, it implies gradual, holistic, long-term efforts to enhance vitality and extend healthy years.