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

Most beauty products will have a small symbol on the back of their container indicating the product's shelf life in months. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 20 June 2025

Blackberries spoil quickly, so freezing them is a great way to extend their shelf life. —Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 17 June 2025

These unshakable, vaguely nebulous finales are in many ways the key to the remarkable shelf life of Kubrick’s filmography. —Spike Carter, Air Mail, 14 June 2025

The other ingredients mentioned on the packaging include beef and cherry powder (the latter reportedly helps delay oxidation and extend shelf life). —Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 June 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