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.
Increase purchasing power for high-demand items (fresh produce, proteins, shelf-stable staples) through OneGenAway’s bulk buying and food rescue partnerships. Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Nov. 2025 Pumpkin and winter squash are already very shelf-stable once they’ve been cured. Laura Simpson, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025 Stick with food that is sealed and shelf-stable. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025 These items are nutritious, stackable, and shelf-stable. Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 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 15 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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