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
Starhotels eschews single-use plastics in favor of glass water bottles and refillable containers for bathroom amenities.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2025
In order to decrease their carbon footprint, the property also relies heavily on renewable energy and avoids single-use plastics whenever possible—and this dedication to environmental consciousness also extends to their dining programs.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
The juxtaposition drew some criticism online, with one follower accusing Emhoff of hypocrisy — a charge complicated further by Harris’ own past calls to ban single-use plastics.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025
By 2032, they were required to reduce single-use plastic packaging by 25% and guarantee that 65% is recyclable and 100% either recyclable or compostable.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
In 2024, United introduced more eco-friendly meal service items in its economy cabins, in an effort to reduce the amount of single-use plastics distributed on its flights.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
Plastic production has soared over the past few decades, especially single-use plastics.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
The scientists believe their innovation could pave the way for a biodegradable alternative to single-use plastics, particularly plastic bags which are among the biggest contributors to global plastic waste.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2025
Unlike SpaceX, which has a fleet of reusable Falcon 9 boosters, ULA has doubled down on building single-use boosters.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2025
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Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2025
In order to decrease their carbon footprint, the property also relies heavily on renewable energy and avoids single-use plastics whenever possible—and this dedication to environmental consciousness also extends to their dining programs.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
The juxtaposition drew some criticism online, with one follower accusing Emhoff of hypocrisy — a charge complicated further by Harris’ own past calls to ban single-use plastics.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025
By 2032, they were required to reduce single-use plastic packaging by 25% and guarantee that 65% is recyclable and 100% either recyclable or compostable.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
In 2024, United introduced more eco-friendly meal service items in its economy cabins, in an effort to reduce the amount of single-use plastics distributed on its flights.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
Plastic production has soared over the past few decades, especially single-use plastics.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
The scientists believe their innovation could pave the way for a biodegradable alternative to single-use plastics, particularly plastic bags which are among the biggest contributors to global plastic waste.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2025
Unlike SpaceX, which has a fleet of reusable Falcon 9 boosters, ULA has doubled down on building single-use boosters.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Single-use.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/single-use. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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