perishable

adjective

per·​ish·​able ˈper-i-shə-bəl 

ˈpe-ri-

: liable to perish : liable to spoil or decay

such perishable products as fruit, vegetables, butter, and eggs

perishability

ˌper-i-shə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌpe-ri-

noun

perishable noun

Examples of perishable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cyberattacks against supermarket refrigeration systems have disrupted grocery operations across Europe, with hackers remotely manipulating temperature controls and destroying perishable food. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026

Executives on the call said that customers who used Amazon for perishable groceries were also far more likely to order its Everyday Essentials — household staples such as paper towels, dish detergent and snacks. — Miriam Waldvogel, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2026

The dairies making mozzarella cannot afford to accumulate a highly perishable product if trucks are unable to deliver it to customers. — Giada Zampano, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Aid groups generally bring in staples such as flour, while merchants import more perishable foods like fruits and meat, according to data released earlier this year by COGAT, the Israeli military body that oversees humanitarian affairs in Gaza. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for perishable

• imperishable

Kids Definition

perishable

adjective

per·​ish·​able ˈper-ish-ə-bəl 

: likely to spoil or decay

perishable fruit

perishable noun