: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Without domain-specific meaning intelligence and robust processes, off-the-shelf models can produce false positives or overlook risks. Dr. Chiranjiv Roy, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025 This study marks a key moment in cancer immunotherapy, demonstrating how a generalized, off-the-shelf mRNA vaccine – not tailored to any specific cancer tumor – can awaken the immune system and amplify the effects of existing treatments. New Atlas, 18 July 2025 The risk is real: Without a clear advantage over ubiquitous, off-the-shelf AI tools, these companies are unlikely to generate strong returns. Evan Renov, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025 There is still enough time, barely, for a private group to work with scientists to develop instrumentation that could be added to an off-the-shelf spacecraft bus to get out to Apophis before its Earth encounter. ArsTechnica, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for off-the-shelf

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of off-the-shelf was in 1950

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Cite this Entry

“Off-the-shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-the-shelf. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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