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

The department released more than 100,000 pages of material by that deadline but did not release the majority of its files until the end of January. —Maegan Vazquez The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 18 Mar. 2026

Following the primary filing deadline, Southwest Side Ald. —Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026

In addition to extending the deadline, Hancock must give plaintiff schools access to submit TEFA applications, per the Tuesday court order. —Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026

Just two days before that deadline, Sousa married Brandon Garrison. —Chelsea Jones, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 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
• byline
• canine

Kids Definition

deadline

noun

dead·​line ˈded-ˌlīn 

: a date or time before which something must be done