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
Laundry Detergent Laundry soap is another household staple with a surprisingly short shelf life.
—
Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 May 2026
But ultimately that had too-short a shelf life.
—Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Fermentation also dramatically extends shelf life — the original reason humans developed these techniques long before anyone understood microbiomes.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026
Fermentation extends shelf life, which is why cultures across the world built it into their food traditions.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026
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Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 May 2026
But ultimately that had too-short a shelf life.
—Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Fermentation also dramatically extends shelf life — the original reason humans developed these techniques long before anyone understood microbiomes.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026
Fermentation extends shelf life, which is why cultures across the world built it into their food traditions.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026
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 23 May. 2026.
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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