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:
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
At six in the morning, long before most people are awake, city crews often arrive at homeless encampments with trash bags, police escorts, and a strict deadline.
—
Shianne Leclaire, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
He was traded to Chicago just before the deadline, but then was able to return to Minnesota when the Bulls traded him a second time to the Charlotte Hornets, who bought him out.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Mercury enters Gemini in your 10th House of Career, sharpening conversations around deadlines, visibility, and public responsibility.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026
As of April 18, the most recent state filing deadline, Cofer’s campaign had raised $123,207, while Guerra’s had raised $182,562, according to state campaign finance documents filed with Sacramento County.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for deadline
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Shianne Leclaire, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
He was traded to Chicago just before the deadline, but then was able to return to Minnesota when the Bulls traded him a second time to the Charlotte Hornets, who bought him out.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Mercury enters Gemini in your 10th House of Career, sharpening conversations around deadlines, visibility, and public responsibility.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026
As of April 18, the most recent state filing deadline, Cofer’s campaign had raised $123,207, while Guerra’s had raised $182,562, according to state campaign finance documents filed with Sacramento County.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for deadline
Cite this Entry
“Deadline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadline. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deadline
noun
dead·line
ˈded-ˌlīn 
: a date or time before which something must be done
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