single-use
adjective
sin·gle-use
ˈsiŋ-gəl-ˈyüs 
variants
or less commonly single use
: intended or designed to be used once and then discarded
single-use plastics
single-use paper products
Surgical masks are single-use face coverings that are designed to act as a barrier to sneezes or other potential exchanges of germs.—
Anandi Barker
Anandi BarkerExamples of single-use in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Eco effort The hotel donates excess food to the local community through Food Rescue and has eliminated single-use plastics, including water bottles and bathroom amenities.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2026
View gallery - 3 images Flossing regularly is great for your teeth, but the single-use plastic picks add to the ever-growing problem of household waste.
—New Atlas, 18 May 2026
However, the oceans are in trouble and are constantly polluted with plastic, particularly single-use plastic bags, which is a huge problem.
—Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2026
By reducing single-use plastic packaging by 30%, that means 30% less waste that city services will need to spend collecting, sorting, and transporting every year.
—Justin Sanchez, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026
More recently, the council expanded its sustainability commitment by approving a ban on the single-use plastic bags by large retailers like Jewel, Target and Walmart, which goes into effect in June 2027.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
How To Prevent Pantry Moths There are some simple ways to prevent infestation, especially if your household uses a lot of dry goods that come in thin cardboard boxes or single-use plastic bags.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
Many researchers say reducing single-use plastics is the most effective starting point.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2026
Environmentalists are rejecting California’s implementation of its landmark single-use plastic law taking, claiming regulators inserted loopholes favoring the plastic industry.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2026
View gallery - 3 images Flossing regularly is great for your teeth, but the single-use plastic picks add to the ever-growing problem of household waste.
—New Atlas, 18 May 2026
However, the oceans are in trouble and are constantly polluted with plastic, particularly single-use plastic bags, which is a huge problem.
—Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2026
By reducing single-use plastic packaging by 30%, that means 30% less waste that city services will need to spend collecting, sorting, and transporting every year.
—Justin Sanchez, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026
More recently, the council expanded its sustainability commitment by approving a ban on the single-use plastic bags by large retailers like Jewel, Target and Walmart, which goes into effect in June 2027.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
How To Prevent Pantry Moths There are some simple ways to prevent infestation, especially if your household uses a lot of dry goods that come in thin cardboard boxes or single-use plastic bags.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
Many researchers say reducing single-use plastics is the most effective starting point.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2026
Environmentalists are rejecting California’s implementation of its landmark single-use plastic law taking, claiming regulators inserted loopholes favoring the plastic industry.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Single-use.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/single-use. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
