bucket list

American  

noun

Informal.

1. a list of things a person wants to achieve or experience, as before reaching a certain age or dying.

   a bucket list for a terminally ill patient;

   What’s on your summer bucket list?

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bucket list British  

noun

1. informal a list of experiences one wants to have before one dies

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Etymology

Origin of bucket list

First recorded in 2005–10; from the idiom kick the bucket “to die”

Example Sentences

But is that something on your bucket list?

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

In December, he crossed a big item off his bucket list, sailing on an Antarctic cruise with Oceanwide Expeditions.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

"It's been on my bucket list for years," she said.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Read: Start on your bucket list now, says the Oscar-nominated director of the film ‘Retirement Plan’

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

It isn’t with Abby, and I certainly won’t be crossing off that one item on Will’s bucket list, but just going makes me feel closer to them.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott