perishable

adjective

per·​ish·​able ˈper-i-shə-bəl 

ˈpe-ri-

: liable to perish : liable to spoil or decay

such perishable products as fruit, vegetables, butter, and eggs

perishability

ˌper-i-shə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌpe-ri-

noun

perishable noun

Examples of perishable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Violations included visibly spoiled, expired milk; selling homemade desserts without approval; and not refrigerating perishable foods properly. — Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 23 July 2026

That convenient spot on your refrigerator door is actually the worst place to store some of your most perishable groceries. — Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 21 July 2026

But the online community is both a highly valuable and quite perishable property, meaning a conventional plug-and-play M&A maneuver could trigger a significant backlash. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 July 2026

Carvel had paid for his rig and his highly perishable freight with a $15 loan from his future wife, Agnes Stewart, and had grand plans. — Nathan King, airmail.news, 9 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for perishable

• imperishable

Kids Definition

perishable

adjective

per·​ish·​able ˈper-ish-ə-bəl 

: likely to spoil or decay

perishable fruit

perishable noun