deadline

noun

dead·​line ˈded-ˌlīn How to pronounce deadline (audio)
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
Phrases
on deadline or under deadline
: with the requirement of meeting a deadline
working 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 deadline to file a claim form to receive a payout in a $3.6 million class-action settlement involving Spartan Mosquito repellent is in four days. Eden Villalovas, Washington Examiner, 27 Nov. 2023 Congress must still grapple with a two-part deadline to fund the government, and that could creep up sooner than expected. Elizabeth Both, NBC News, 27 Nov. 2023 The deadline to submit applications online is before midnight Dec. 15. Kristina Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2023 Congress is taking more time to work on a new farm bill after missing the original Sept. 30 deadline to pass such legislation. Alex Thomas, arkansasonline.com, 26 Nov. 2023 Notably, these fictional claims were filed the day before the New York State filing deadline expires. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 22 Nov. 2023 December 18 isn't just the date for the hosting shutdown, but also the deadline for downloads or refund requests. Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 16 Nov. 2023 The House passed the bill, known as a continuing resolution, Tuesday night, sending it to the Senate ahead of a Friday deadline. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 15 Nov. 2023 Eighty-four days after the quake, during a ceremony attended by Vice President Al Gore and Gov. Pete Wilson, the freeway reopened, with the contractor finishing ahead of the deadline, The Times reported. Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deadline.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deadline was in 1864

Dictionary Entries Near deadline

Cite this Entry

“Deadline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadline. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

deadline

noun
dead·​line ˈded-ˌlīn How to pronounce deadline (audio)
: a date or time before which something must be done

More from Merriam-Webster on deadline

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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