single-use

adjective

sin·​gle-use ˈsiŋ-gəl-ˈyüs How to pronounce single-use (audio)
variants or less commonly single use
: intended or designed to be used once and then discarded
single-use plastics
single-use paper products
Surgical masks are single-use face coverings that are designed to act as a barrier to sneezes or other potential exchanges of germs.Anandi Barker

Examples of single-use 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.
These are great for grocery shopping or storing fruits and vegetables, helping to reduce single-use plastic. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025 Customers must download a single-use digital coupon from Kroger's website to redeem the offer. Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Sep. 2025 These low-mass satellites are very cost-effective and can be launched in small swarms, but are strictly designed as a single-use technology. Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025 Bye Bye Plastic reports that the movement to implement more environmentally friendly riders drew support from more than 1,500 DJs and artists who demonstrated the clear demand for event producers to cut single-use plastics from hospitality. Katie Bain, Billboard, 24 Sep. 2025 While potential risks warrant taking precautions such as switching to plastic alternatives, that should not stop people from drinking water from single-use plastic bottles from a hot car when necessary, some experts said. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025 One of the easiest places to start is the kitchen, where single-use plastics pile up quickly in everything from food containers to cleaning supplies. Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025 The hotel is free of single-use plastics and implements measures to save water. Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2025 The production also made substantial strides in reducing waste, including minimizing single-use plastics and recycling 180 metric tons of steel from its sets. Thr Staff, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of single-use was in 1897

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Cite this Entry

“Single-use.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/single-use. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

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