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

Commonly, the shelf life is two years when sealed and anywhere from 90 to 180 days once the package is opened. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026

To extend its shelf life, put it in the fridge or freezer. —Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026

Coffee extract has a long shelf life — up to two years — and can be stored at room temperature in your pantry. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026

Made from an industrial process in which hydrogen is added to liquid vegetable oils to make those oils more solid, trans fats are cheap to make and increase the shelf life of foods. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026

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