shelf life

noun

: the period of time during which a material may be stored and remain suitable for use

broadly : the period of time during which something lasts or remains popular

Examples of shelf life in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While this gives it a shorter shelf life, cottage cheese has the advantage of retaining more water-soluble nutrients and offering a lighter, more delicate flavor. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 29 July 2025

Methane has a shorter shelf life than carbon dioxide but is much more potent as a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2025

But in today’s landscape, information moves faster than hierarchy, and the shelf life of expertise is shrinking. Enter the curious leader who doesn’t pretend to know it all but is relentlessly committed to learning, testing and adapting. —Aaron Edgell, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

Those ingredients give them a longer shelf life and signature flavor—and also raise red flags for health risks. —Lauren Manaker Ms, Health, 3 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shelf life

• alewife
• birdlife
• folklife
• housewife
• jackknife
• loosestrife
• midlife
• midwife
• nightlife
• penknife
• wildlife
• afterlife

Kids Definition

shelf life

noun

: the period of time something may be stored and still be good enough to use

Medical Definition

shelf life

noun

ˈshelf-ˌ 

: the period of time during which a material (as a food or drug) may be stored and remain suitable for use