as in bought
made beforehand in large numbers
she chose to have her computer designed to her specifications rather than buying an off-the-shelf machine
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Recent Examples of off-the-shelf
To define system requirements and award a contract typically spans well over two years, meanwhile today’s space systems and services are readily available and made from off-the-shelf componentry.
—
Charles Beames, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Fortunately, businesses don’t need to start from scratch or rely on limited off-the-shelf solutions.
—Yuriy Gnatyuk, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
The Woods Hole underwater acoustic system includes off-the-shelf components in a watertight Pelican case.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Nov. 2024
The Digital Divas guide suggests using a series of off-the-shelf tools that are widely known among people who make AI art.
—Jason Koebler, WIRED, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for off-the-shelf 
Charles Beames, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Fortunately, businesses don’t need to start from scratch or rely on limited off-the-shelf solutions.
—Yuriy Gnatyuk, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
The Woods Hole underwater acoustic system includes off-the-shelf components in a watertight Pelican case.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Nov. 2024
The Digital Divas guide suggests using a series of off-the-shelf tools that are widely known among people who make AI art.
—Jason Koebler, WIRED, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for off-the-shelf
Thesaurus Entries Near off-the-shelf
Cite this Entry
“Off-the-shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-the-shelf. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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