shelf-stable
adjective
shelf-sta·ble
ˈshelf-ˌstā-bəl 
: processed or packaged to withstand prolonged storage without refrigeration
All the rage in Europe and Latin America, boxed shelf-stable milk has yet to catch on with U.S. consumers.—
Christine Foster
Christine FosterExamples of shelf-stable in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Why You Should Store Grits In The Freezer There’s a world of difference between shelf-stable grits and stone ground heirloom varieties, like those from Anson Mills.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 27 July 2025
These offerings are typically shelf-stable, processed, and widely distributed through grocery channels.
—Joe Cornell, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
That's Been Sitting in the Sun Unless the food is shelf-stable, like potato chips, avoid any food sitting in the sun or heat for an hour or more.
—Sarah Anzlovar, Verywell Health, 15 July 2025
The top answers included meat products (28%), such as lunch meat, hot dogs, and hamburgers; shelf-stable foods (14%), like canned, packaged, and frozen goods; and foods with artificial additives (13%).
—New Atlas, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shelf-stable
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Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 27 July 2025
These offerings are typically shelf-stable, processed, and widely distributed through grocery channels.
—Joe Cornell, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
That's Been Sitting in the Sun Unless the food is shelf-stable, like potato chips, avoid any food sitting in the sun or heat for an hour or more.
—Sarah Anzlovar, Verywell Health, 15 July 2025
The top answers included meat products (28%), such as lunch meat, hot dogs, and hamburgers; shelf-stable foods (14%), like canned, packaged, and frozen goods; and foods with artificial additives (13%).
—New Atlas, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shelf-stable
Cite this Entry
“Shelf-stable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelf-stable. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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