bucket list

noun

: a list of things that one has not done before but wants to do before dying

Examples of bucket list in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Iconic national parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion, which have long been considered bucket list must-visits, are seeing a dip in demand as seasoned RV travelers are increasingly looking for alternatives to avoid infamous in-park congestion. Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2026 The resurgence of luxury rail travel (in particular, the Orient Express’s own revival) has swiftly made stepping back in time on a nostalgia-inducing train ascend to the top of my bucket list. Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026 This attraction combines bucket list appeal, quirky photo ops, and very walkable streets. Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026 One of her bucket list items after her retirement was to join the peace corps. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bucket list

Word History

Etymology

from the phrase kick the bucket (to die)

First Known Use

2006, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bucket list was in 2006

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Cite this Entry

“Bucket list.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bucket%20list. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

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