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

Leslie Bonci, a sports dietitian for the Kansas City Chiefs and founder of Active Eating Advice, adds that because apple juice is always pasteurized and apple cider only sometimes is, apple juice often has a longer shelf life and is clearer and lighter in color. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024

How To Can Food At Home Canning is a way to extend the shelf life of food. —Lindsey Desoto, Rd, Health, 29 Oct. 2024

Of course, this can also relate to other household items with a shelf life. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2024

So, Netflix is betting that Stranger Things can have a shelf life beyond its final season next year, especially with its status as the most memorable IP that the streaming giant has helped launch. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 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