shelf life

noun

1. the term or period during which a stored commodity remains effective, useful, or suitable for consumption:

   Many medicines have a very short shelf life.

shelf life

noun

1. the length of time a packaged food, chemical, etc, will last without deteriorating

Word History and Origins

Origin of shelf life¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

But others argue that its shelf life is longer than we might think.

From The Daily Beast

But done right, they can extend her shelf-life in a hyper-competitive industry that revolves around youthfulness.

From The Daily Beast

The new Twinkies carry an extended shelf life of 45 days, versus two weeks previously (no, they don't last forever).

From The Daily Beast

Even without any changes, most experts predict a much longer shelf life for Idol than the current media narrative predicts.

From The Daily Beast

Furthermore, pronouncements by Barack Obama have a notoriously short shelf life.

From The Daily Beast

Thus, a warhead loaded with the material has an indefinite shelf-life.

From Project Gutenberg