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
That kind of creative discipline is rare in the streaming era, where popular shows can easily be stretched beyond their natural shelf life.
—
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
How to Store Whole Pomegranates Whole pomegranates have a surprisingly long shelf life—but only if they are stored properly.
—Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
These root vegetables don’t have an extended shelf life and shouldn’t be left in the pantry for many months.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
But that would take several months in some cases, with some levies offering a more limited shelf life.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shelf life
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Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
How to Store Whole Pomegranates Whole pomegranates have a surprisingly long shelf life—but only if they are stored properly.
—Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 16 Feb. 2026
These root vegetables don’t have an extended shelf life and shouldn’t be left in the pantry for many months.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
But that would take several months in some cases, with some levies offering a more limited shelf life.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 14 Feb. 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 22 Feb. 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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