single-use
adjective
sin·gle-use
ˈsiŋ-gəl-ˈyüs 
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
Anandi BarkerExamples of single-use in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Glass bottles of water (the resort has its own filtration plant) replace single-use plastic, and the property reuses most of its runoff water for the gardens.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
Many researchers say reducing single-use plastics is the most effective starting point.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2026
Environmentalists are rejecting California’s implementation of its landmark single-use plastic law taking, claiming regulators inserted loopholes favoring the plastic industry.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
And though this work focused on just one polymer, a similar strategy could be used in other plastic types, including those commonly found in single-use plastics.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
As consumer concern around microplastics grows, Blueland has made a name for itself by eschewing single-use plastic packaging for its eco-friendly cleaning products, which include detergents, spray cleaners, and hand soaps.
—Don Steinberg, Time, 30 Apr. 2026
The founder adds that as the platform developed, its purpose expanded from a single-use preparedness tool into a more comprehensive system for property awareness.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Governments should help schools move away from single-use plastics that touch hot food, through public funding to help districts shift to safer trays, reusable serviceware, and dishwashing capacity.
—Justin Zorn, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026
The production composted food waste, did not use plastic water bottles and other single-use items, recycled pieces of set for local schools or families instead of sending them to landfill, and ran a can-recycling program.
—Michelle Duff, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
Many researchers say reducing single-use plastics is the most effective starting point.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2026
Environmentalists are rejecting California’s implementation of its landmark single-use plastic law taking, claiming regulators inserted loopholes favoring the plastic industry.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
And though this work focused on just one polymer, a similar strategy could be used in other plastic types, including those commonly found in single-use plastics.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
As consumer concern around microplastics grows, Blueland has made a name for itself by eschewing single-use plastic packaging for its eco-friendly cleaning products, which include detergents, spray cleaners, and hand soaps.
—Don Steinberg, Time, 30 Apr. 2026
The founder adds that as the platform developed, its purpose expanded from a single-use preparedness tool into a more comprehensive system for property awareness.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Governments should help schools move away from single-use plastics that touch hot food, through public funding to help districts shift to safer trays, reusable serviceware, and dishwashing capacity.
—Justin Zorn, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026
The production composted food waste, did not use plastic water bottles and other single-use items, recycled pieces of set for local schools or families instead of sending them to landfill, and ran a can-recycling program.
—Michelle Duff, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Single-use.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/single-use. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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