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

Content from conferences and webinars is being leveraged on social media, advertising and elsewhere to extend the shelf life of these investments. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Further, in 1990, the United States implicitly promised Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev that NATO would not expand forces eastward if East and West Germany were permitted to unite — a promise with a truncated shelf life. —Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 12 Dec. 2024

Pre-shredded cheese contains additives that help prevent clumps and prolong shelf life. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Nov. 2024

Tips for Extending the Shelf Life of Caramel Apples To extend the shelf life of your caramel apples, keep these tips in mind: Quality ingredients: Start with fresh, firm apples for the longest shelf life. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

shelf life

noun

: the period of time something may be stored and still be good enough to use

Medical Definition

shelf life

noun

ˈshelf-ˌ 

: the period of time during which a material (as a food or drug) may be stored and remain suitable for use