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
At Kanuhura, there are no single-use plastics (front and back of house), wastewater is recycled, food waste is composted, and nearly 50 kilos of herbs and vegetables are harvested from organic gardens every month.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 June 2026
This special event will kick off Plastic Free July, a global movement that encourages people to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics and make more sustainable choices.
—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
Reducing single-use plastic is both an environmental choice and a business opportunity.
—
Vishal Vivek,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
An easy place to begin making the shift away from single-use plastic is with beverage and food containers.
—
Kelley Dennings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 June 2026
So if your Gen Alpha kid is calling you out on buying single-use plastic or asking where your reusable grocery bags are in the grocery line, be excited instead of too annoyed.
—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
14 June 2026
The rocket, first launched in 2010, is partially reusable and is estimated to have lowered launch costs by some 95% compared to traditional single-use rockets.
—
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Maple has implemented robust waste-reduction initiatives and installed refillable water stations to reduce single-use plastic on campus.
—
Magda Liszewska,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
Don’t forget to pack sunscreen (single-use packs or a sunscreen stick can be handy for throwing in a bag or pocket) and apply it throughout the day.
—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
5 June 2026
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Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 June 2026
This special event will kick off Plastic Free July, a global movement that encourages people to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics and make more sustainable choices.
—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
Reducing single-use plastic is both an environmental choice and a business opportunity.
—
Vishal Vivek,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
An easy place to begin making the shift away from single-use plastic is with beverage and food containers.
—
Kelley Dennings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 June 2026
So if your Gen Alpha kid is calling you out on buying single-use plastic or asking where your reusable grocery bags are in the grocery line, be excited instead of too annoyed.
—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
14 June 2026
The rocket, first launched in 2010, is partially reusable and is estimated to have lowered launch costs by some 95% compared to traditional single-use rockets.
—
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Maple has implemented robust waste-reduction initiatives and installed refillable water stations to reduce single-use plastic on campus.
—
Magda Liszewska,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
Don’t forget to pack sunscreen (single-use packs or a sunscreen stick can be handy for throwing in a bag or pocket) and apply it throughout the day.
—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Single-use.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/single-use. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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