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

The 2026 Major League Baseball trade deadline is less than two weeks away. — Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

And the deadline to make a deal is nearing, both for Preferred Care Network members and for members enrolled in commercial and Medicaid plans. — Michelle Marchante july 22, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

There were more than 50 games before the trade deadline when pundits began calling the Tigers surefire sellers. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026

While not every Haitian individual with TPS will be immediately summoned to immigration court, Nordahl said, the deadline will mark the cancellation of work permits. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 22 July 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