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
The property also avoids single-use plastics.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026
This is mainly by phasing out single-use plastics and unnecessary packaging layers, while also including high percentages of recycled plastics and fully recyclable cardboard.
—Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Despite the remaining questions around silicone and microplastics, many researchers still see silicone as a better option than disposable plastics — especially for reusable products that replace single-use containers, utensils and food storage items.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026
View gallery - 3 images Flossing regularly is great for your teeth, but the single-use plastic picks add to the ever-growing problem of household waste.
—New Atlas, 18 May 2026
However, the oceans are in trouble and are constantly polluted with plastic, particularly single-use plastic bags, which is a huge problem.
—Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2026
By reducing single-use plastic packaging by 30%, that means 30% less waste that city services will need to spend collecting, sorting, and transporting every year.
—Justin Sanchez, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026
More recently, the council expanded its sustainability commitment by approving a ban on the single-use plastic bags by large retailers like Jewel, Target and Walmart, which goes into effect in June 2027.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
How To Prevent Pantry Moths There are some simple ways to prevent infestation, especially if your household uses a lot of dry goods that come in thin cardboard boxes or single-use plastic bags.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026
This is mainly by phasing out single-use plastics and unnecessary packaging layers, while also including high percentages of recycled plastics and fully recyclable cardboard.
—Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Despite the remaining questions around silicone and microplastics, many researchers still see silicone as a better option than disposable plastics — especially for reusable products that replace single-use containers, utensils and food storage items.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026
View gallery - 3 images Flossing regularly is great for your teeth, but the single-use plastic picks add to the ever-growing problem of household waste.
—New Atlas, 18 May 2026
However, the oceans are in trouble and are constantly polluted with plastic, particularly single-use plastic bags, which is a huge problem.
—Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2026
By reducing single-use plastic packaging by 30%, that means 30% less waste that city services will need to spend collecting, sorting, and transporting every year.
—Justin Sanchez, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026
More recently, the council expanded its sustainability commitment by approving a ban on the single-use plastic bags by large retailers like Jewel, Target and Walmart, which goes into effect in June 2027.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
How To Prevent Pantry Moths There are some simple ways to prevent infestation, especially if your household uses a lot of dry goods that come in thin cardboard boxes or single-use plastic bags.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Single-use.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/single-use. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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