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

See Examples For:

bucket list

A lifelong aviation enthusiast, she said she had always wanted to visit the airport's air traffic control tower, and described the experience as one of the highlights of her bucket list.

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

WSJ: What’s still on your bucket list in terms of improving operations?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

As part of their "summer bucket list", they are planning to check out all the parks in the local area and she is prioritising low-cost activities throughout the summer.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

Call it a wish list, bucket list or checklist — the dashboard is all yours.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

Getting straight A’s wasn’t on Qareeb’s bucket list, despite my parents’ best efforts.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad