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
Meiler’s fierce competitive spirit, even at the age of 91, is proof that fitness doesn’t have a shelf life.
—
Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 11 Sep. 2025
However, whey is often mixed with additives to improve its taste and shelf life and is sold in flavors such as vanilla and chocolate.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 10 Sep. 2025
That is especially true when the underlying commodity has a short shelf life and there are viable protein source alternatives.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Red, yellow, and white onions all have a similar shelf life once they’ve been cut, but Brown notes that red onions in particular tend to lose some of their coloring the longer they are stored.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shelf life
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.
Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 11 Sep. 2025
However, whey is often mixed with additives to improve its taste and shelf life and is sold in flavors such as vanilla and chocolate.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 10 Sep. 2025
That is especially true when the underlying commodity has a short shelf life and there are viable protein source alternatives.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Red, yellow, and white onions all have a similar shelf life once they’ve been cut, but Brown notes that red onions in particular tend to lose some of their coloring the longer they are stored.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shelf life
Cite this Entry
“Shelf life.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelf%20life. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
shelf life
noun
: the period of time during which a material (as a food or drug) may be stored and remain suitable for use
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share