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

Even the stories that are printed with such intent have a shelf life that demands the pages to be turned into living stories and not wrapped around a slimy fish. — Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

The man does seem to have an uncanny ability to pick projects that will have a long shelf life — everything from Up in Smoke and Harold and Maude to Singles, Steel Magnolias, Poison Ivy, and Contact. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Banners may last forever, but success has a very short shelf life. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

Food processing promised to improve food safety, shelf life, quality, convenience, taste and healthfulness. — Garrett M. Broad, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shelf life

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

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