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
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
That’s where master wood crafter Jon Hartman comes in, creating heirloom-quality furnishing and gifts by upcycling the single-use barrels through his Whiskey Woodcraft program, located in the distillery’s former cooperage.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 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
Sawyer Products offers several types of topicals, including creams and convenient, single-use lotion packs.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
The zero waste store is all about limiting single-use plastics.
—Adam Del Rosso, CBS News, 3 June 2026
The latter bill would have required them to provide single-use utensils, napkins, condiment packets, straws, chopsticks and other items to customers only upon request.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
When defenders rely on recognition and attackers design artifacts to be single-use, the advantage shifts.
—Ken Ammon, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Companies that produce single-use packaging and plastic single-use food service ware have until Monday to comply with some of the terms of the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54).
—Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
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Magda Liszewska, Oc Register, 8 June 2026
That’s where master wood crafter Jon Hartman comes in, creating heirloom-quality furnishing and gifts by upcycling the single-use barrels through his Whiskey Woodcraft program, located in the distillery’s former cooperage.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 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
Sawyer Products offers several types of topicals, including creams and convenient, single-use lotion packs.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
The zero waste store is all about limiting single-use plastics.
—Adam Del Rosso, CBS News, 3 June 2026
The latter bill would have required them to provide single-use utensils, napkins, condiment packets, straws, chopsticks and other items to customers only upon request.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
When defenders rely on recognition and attackers design artifacts to be single-use, the advantage shifts.
—Ken Ammon, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Companies that produce single-use packaging and plastic single-use food service ware have until Monday to comply with some of the terms of the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54).
—Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Single-use.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/single-use. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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