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

The story of how the major knee injury derailed his career is a reminder of how quickly things can change in the NFL and how short the shelf life of even the most gifted running back can be. — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026

Perishable foods like produce and meats are particularly sensitive to a rise in diesel costs, since their short shelf life leaves them especially vulnerable to sudden increases in supply-chain costs, some analysts previously told ABC News. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Milk and Cream-Based Sauces While freezing milk or cream might seem like a good way to extend their shelf life, these items tend to separate when thawed, creating a grainy, watery texture. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026

The shelf life of an average carton of strawberries could be extended considerably with this coating, Yang said. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 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