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
So if your Gen Alpha kid is calling you out on buying single-use plastic or asking where your reusable grocery bags are in the grocery line, be excited instead of too annoyed.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 14 June 2026
The rocket, first launched in 2010, is partially reusable and is estimated to have lowered launch costs by some 95% compared to traditional single-use rockets.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Eco effort While the property has removed single-use plastics from the guest rooms and spa, small single-use plastic water bottles are still prevalent throughout the hotel.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026
Maple has implemented robust waste-reduction initiatives and installed refillable water stations to reduce single-use plastic on campus.
—Magda Liszewska, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
Don’t forget to pack sunscreen (single-use packs or a sunscreen stick can be handy for throwing in a bag or pocket) and apply it throughout the day.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2026
Sawyer Products offers several types of topicals, including creams and convenient, single-use lotion packs.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
The zero waste store is all about limiting single-use plastics.
—Adam Del Rosso, CBS News, 3 June 2026
The latter bill would have required them to provide single-use utensils, napkins, condiment packets, straws, chopsticks and other items to customers only upon request.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
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Sarah Scott, Parents, 14 June 2026
The rocket, first launched in 2010, is partially reusable and is estimated to have lowered launch costs by some 95% compared to traditional single-use rockets.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Eco effort While the property has removed single-use plastics from the guest rooms and spa, small single-use plastic water bottles are still prevalent throughout the hotel.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026
Maple has implemented robust waste-reduction initiatives and installed refillable water stations to reduce single-use plastic on campus.
—Magda Liszewska, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
Don’t forget to pack sunscreen (single-use packs or a sunscreen stick can be handy for throwing in a bag or pocket) and apply it throughout the day.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2026
Sawyer Products offers several types of topicals, including creams and convenient, single-use lotion packs.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
The zero waste store is all about limiting single-use plastics.
—Adam Del Rosso, CBS News, 3 June 2026
The latter bill would have required them to provide single-use utensils, napkins, condiment packets, straws, chopsticks and other items to customers only upon request.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Single-use.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/single-use. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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