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short list

noun
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Definition of short list

: a limited list of important items or individuals especially : a list of candidates for final consideration (as for a position or a prize)
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Other Words from short list

short-list \ ˈshȯrt-​ˌlist How to pronounce short list (audio) \ transitive verb

Examples of short list in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web If there were a lab leak—and, again, most experts do not believe that the available evidence points in this direction—then both the Wuhan Institute and its US partner would be on a short list of candidates to investigate. — Roger Pielke Jr., Wired, "If Covid-19 Did Start With a Lab Leak, Would We Ever Know?," 16 Jan. 2021 Media reports in recent days indicated Odom was on a short list of candidates for the defensive coordinator role at Texas under new Coach Steve Sarkisian and that LSU Coach Ed Orgeron was also interested in hiring him. — Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, "2 Razorback assistants to stay at Arkansas," 6 Jan. 2021 Today, the country appears ready once again for a short list of straightforward steps to extricate America from the current health and economic quicksand. — Robert Moilanen, Star Tribune, "A mission for a new administration: Tell the truth, obey the law," 27 Dec. 2020 Here is a short list of services being held on Dec. 23 and 24 around Los Angeles. — Bonnie Mccarthy, Los Angeles Times, "Where to find church services in L.A. this Christmas Eve," 19 Dec. 2020 Transurban is on a short list of those bidding for billions of dollars in state contracts to build toll lanes on the Beltway and Interstate 270 in Maryland. — Washington Post, "Northern Virginia toll road operator Transurban to sell half its stake in lanes," 17 Dec. 2020 Padilla is on a short list of candidates being considered by Newsom as a Senate replacement for Harris. — Kerry Picket, Washington Examiner, "GOP says would-be California senator used federal coronavirus aid funds to pay for political consultants," 16 Dec. 2020 Leonas wrapped up his presentation with a short list of potential future projects. — Graydon Megan, chicagotribune.com, "Lincolnshire police chief lays out department’s policies and procedures to village trustees, called officers ‘ambassador to the community’," 7 Nov. 2020 England is headed for a tougher lockdown starting Thursday, with nonessential shops and hairdressers closing for a month and people allowed to leave home for only a short list of reasons including exercise. — Geir Moulson, The Christian Science Monitor, "Europe heads for another lockdown to stem second COVID-19 wave," 2 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'short list.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of short list

1927, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for short list

Time Traveler

The first known use of short list was in 1927

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Statistics for short list

Last Updated

23 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Short list.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/short%20list. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for short list

short list

noun

English Language Learners Definition of short list

: a list of a small number of people or things that have been selected from a larger group and are being considered to receive an award, to get a job, etc.

See the full definition for short list in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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