shelf life

noun

: the period of time during which a material may be stored and remain suitable for use

broadly : the period of time during which something lasts or remains popular

Examples of shelf life in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Red, yellow, and white onions all have a similar shelf life once they’ve been cut, but Brown notes that red onions in particular tend to lose some of their coloring the longer they are stored. —Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025

This can further delay spoilage and sprouting, increasing the shelf life of your potatoes. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025

This especially fresh status delivers a milder, smooth flavor but also shortens its shelf life. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025

Much of this waste is because avocados are such a difficult-to-manage fresh produce item, leading to high rates of household waste and consumer dissatisfaction with quality and shelf life. —Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shelf life

• alewife
• birdlife
• folklife
• housewife
• jackknife
• loosestrife
• midlife
• midwife
• nightlife
• penknife
• wildlife
• afterlife

Kids Definition

shelf life

noun

: the period of time something may be stored and still be good enough to use

Medical Definition

shelf life

noun

ˈshelf-ˌ 

: the period of time during which a material (as a food or drug) may be stored and remain suitable for use