deadline

noun

dead·​line ˈded-ˌlīn 

1

: a line drawn within or around a prison that a prisoner passes at the risk of being shot

2

a

: a date or time before which something must be done

b

: the time after which copy is not accepted for a particular issue of a publication

see also:

on deadline

Examples of deadline in a Sentence

She worked on her composition right up until the deadline.

We had to hurry to meet the deadline.

The project was completed a week past its deadline.

The deadline for submitting college applications is April 19th.

They're working under a deadline.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rewrite the checklist, clarify the deadline, or simplify one daily habit. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Applications for requesting absentee ballots are already open in Georgia and officials face looming deadlines for sending ballots. — Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 26 Aug. 2026

The old one, featuring key moments from the club’s 2025 World Series run, was torn down after the early-August trade deadline. — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Robert Thompson ruled that lawmakers violated their own deadlines for ballot measures. — David A. Lieb, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing deadline

• on deadline
• under deadline

Rhymes for deadline

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• brucine
• byline

Kids Definition

deadline

noun

dead·​line ˈded-ˌlīn 

: a date or time before which something must be done