off-the-shelf
adjective
: available as a stock item : not specially designed or custom-made
off-the-shelf software
Examples of off-the-shelf in a Sentence
she chose to have her computer designed to her specifications rather than buying an off-the-shelf machine
Recent Examples on the Web
The company revealed that the first prototype of the new StormBreaker was launched using a commercial off-the-shelf rocket motor.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025
In contrast, off-the-shelf smartphone camera sensors are potentially hyperspectral in nature, meaning that each pixel is sensitive to far more spectral bands.
—IEEE Spectrum, 23 Sep. 2025
That demand for constant revision caused a series of time delays and cost overruns, but also led to the engineers designing proprietary parts for the aircraft, rather than relying on off-the-shelf equipment.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 2025
Beginning November 10, 2028, all contracts involving Federal Contract Information or Controlled Unclassified Information will require compliance, except for contracts solely for commercially available off-the-shelf items.
—Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-the-shelf
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Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025
In contrast, off-the-shelf smartphone camera sensors are potentially hyperspectral in nature, meaning that each pixel is sensitive to far more spectral bands.
—IEEE Spectrum, 23 Sep. 2025
That demand for constant revision caused a series of time delays and cost overruns, but also led to the engineers designing proprietary parts for the aircraft, rather than relying on off-the-shelf equipment.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 2025
Beginning November 10, 2028, all contracts involving Federal Contract Information or Controlled Unclassified Information will require compliance, except for contracts solely for commercially available off-the-shelf items.
—Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-the-shelf
Cite this Entry
“Off-the-shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-the-shelf. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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