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

Bloomberg also reported at the time that contractors were pouring a new floor every four days to meet a deadline to open. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 8 July 2026

Days before a state deadline to withdraw ballot measures in late June, Regan publicly offered to trim the wealth tax to 2% over two years, an offer Newsom quickly rejected. — Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

The Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad reported that the opening has been postponed twice already, first in 2023 due to permit issues and the aftermath of the pandemic, and once more in 2025 when the deadline proved too tight. — News Desk, Artforum, 8 July 2026

State election rules dictate that Platner would need to withdraw by Monday, July 13 in order for the state party to name a new nominee before the deadline of July 27. — Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 8 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