shelf life
noun
: the period of time during which a material may be stored and remain suitable for use
broadly
: the period of time during which something lasts or remains popular
Examples of shelf life in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The age of a wine is one of the main things that impacts its shelf life once open.
—
Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2025
What to look for in a quality menstrual cup for a high cervix
Menstrual cups for a high cervix typically are composed of latex, silicone or thermoplastic elastomer, also known as TPE. TPE has the longest shelf life of these materials, but latex and silicone can also be long-lasting and durable.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 Dec. 2025
Ground flaxseeds are easiest to digest, but whole flaxseeds have the longest shelf life.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 3 Dec. 2025
Snyder, according to multiple people close to the World Cup bid, seemed unwilling to spend millions of dollars on improvements — some of them permanent, some of them temporary and FIFA-mandated — to a stadium that was likely near the end of its shelf life.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shelf life
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Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2025
What to look for in a quality menstrual cup for a high cervix
Menstrual cups for a high cervix typically are composed of latex, silicone or thermoplastic elastomer, also known as TPE. TPE has the longest shelf life of these materials, but latex and silicone can also be long-lasting and durable.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 Dec. 2025
Ground flaxseeds are easiest to digest, but whole flaxseeds have the longest shelf life.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 3 Dec. 2025
Snyder, according to multiple people close to the World Cup bid, seemed unwilling to spend millions of dollars on improvements — some of them permanent, some of them temporary and FIFA-mandated — to a stadium that was likely near the end of its shelf life.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shelf life
Cite this Entry
“Shelf life.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelf%20life. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
shelf life
noun
: the period of time during which a material (as a food or drug) may be stored and remain suitable for use
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