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

Stewart, who made his major league debut with the Dodgers as a starter in 2016, returned to the club at the trade deadline as a reliever last season in a deal with the Minnesota Twins. —Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 10 May 2026

And those performances have increased scrutiny on James Harden, who was acquired at the trade deadline to help Cleveland get beyond the second round for the first time since 2018. —CBS News, 9 May 2026

With tax-filing deadlines coming in April, the spring quarter typically requires less borrowing than other times of the year. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 May 2026

However, compliance deadlines are somewhat irrelevant. —The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 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