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

Incidentally, a seedless watermelon has a longer shelf life than a watermelon with seeds, the former lasting for up to a month following harvest. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 7 May 2026

Blueberries left in room temperature have a shorter shelf life of only a couple of days. —Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026

These artificial ingredients are often meant to enhance color and flavor, improve consistency, or increase shelf life. —Maggie Donahue, Health, 28 Apr. 2026

Chandeliers are Timeless Trendy statement lights tend to have a short shelf life, and the French often embrace interior design trends through accessories like art rather than fixtures. —Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 27 Apr. 2026

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