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

Here are a few examples of passive-aggressive behavior at work: A coworker agrees to help with a project but intentionally misses deadlines. —Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

The goal is likely to have a new map in place by the November filing deadline so that the new districts will be in place for midterm elections in 2026. —Rachel Royster july 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2025

Chinese shares advanced after the government reported that exports rose last month as a truce in a tariffs war prompted a surge in orders ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline for reaching a new trade deal with Washington. —Matt Ott, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025

Tuesday is the deadline for NFL teams to sign a player who had the franchise tag placed on them earlier this year. —Pete Grathoff july 14, Kansas City Star, 14 July 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