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

Frozen vegetables are minimally processed to remove inedible parts and extend their shelf life. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 19 Sep. 2025

Fresh seeds scooped from a pumpkin have a higher moisture content and a shorter shelf life. —Johna Burdeos, Health, 19 Sep. 2025

Don’t buy stone fruits and berries in the winter, or root vegetables and citrus in the summer, which are bogged down with jet lag, a higher price tag, a shorter shelf life, and inferior taste and quality. —Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2025

Meiler’s fierce competitive spirit, even at the age of 91, is proof that fitness doesn’t have a shelf life. —Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 11 Sep. 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