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

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

Former New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams was one of the biggest trades made ahead of the trade deadline, as the Jets sent the All-Pro defensive tackle to the Dallas Cowboys. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025

Legislators failed to reach consensus on Proposition 123 by the June deadline, resulting in a $200 million shortfall to public schools that needs to be made up by the state's General Fund. —Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 17 Nov. 2025

Hitler gave his prospective mainstream parties a deadline of three days, from January 10 to 13. —Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025

The deadline for the prize to be claimed is also approaching. —Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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