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.
Organic waste is composted, and in lieu of single-use plastics, eco-friendly products are used in sustainable materials. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026 Stores may also still offer single-use recyclable paper bags. Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026 Florida lawmakers have passed many bills preempting local laws in recent years but a ban on local governments banning of single-use plastic straws. Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026 Paper straws Florida lawmakers have passed many bills preempting local laws in recent years but a ban on local governments banning of single-use plastic straws. Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026 This formula replaces single-use hygiene wipes, preventing more than 5 million of them ending up in landfill. Tory Johnson, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026 California’s landmark single-use plastic law is slowly being eroded by pressures within the state. Susanne Rust follow, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026 Their stepping-stone single-use intermittent device targets prescription markets (IVF, TRT) first; the continuous wearable is slated for 2028. Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 27 Feb. 2026 The Arizona Attorney General's Office won a concession from Reynolds Consumer Products that will affect consumers nationwide after filing a lawsuit arguing the single-use household goods company's Hefty trash bags were not truly recyclable. Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 25 Feb. 2026

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 12 Mar. 2026.

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