shelf-stable

adjective

shelf-sta·​ble ˈshelf-ˌstā-bəl How to pronounce shelf-stable (audio)
: 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

Examples of shelf-stable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In-demand items include shelf-stable, low sodium and high protein foods, county staff said. Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025 State governments have encouraged families to continue to gather shelf-stable foods at food banks if the SNAP benefits stop coming. Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025 Franklin nonprofit OneGenAway will be hosting drive-thru food pickups throughout November, distributing both shelf-stable foods and fresh produce. Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Oct. 2025 Instagrammer @ChristinaLorey posted an infographic about the best type of shelf-stable foods to include in your trick-or-treat bowl for children who may be affected by the SNAP cutoff. Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shelf-stable

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shelf-stable was in 1952

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Cite this Entry

“Shelf-stable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelf-stable. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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