deadline

[ded-lahyn]

noun

1. the time by which something must be finished or submitted; the latest time for finishing something.

   a five o'clock deadline.

2. a line or limit that must not be passed.

3. (formerly) a boundary around a military prison beyond which a prisoner could not venture without risk of being shot by the guards.

deadline

/ ˈdɛdˌlaɪn /

noun

1. a time limit for any activity

Other Word Forms

• postdeadline adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deadline¹

First recorded in 1855–60; dead + line ¹

Example Sentences

The deadline for countries to submit movies for the 2026 Oscars’ international feature category arrives Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times

Temporarily funding the government for seven weeks, in their view, just moves that subsidy deadline closer without any appreciable progress.

From BBC

His name will remain on the ballot because the deadline to change it has passed.

From BBC

They gave me a deadline of midnight on Monday.

From BBC

Brock Stewart, the pitcher the Dodgers acquired at the trade deadline to bolster their playoff bullpen, will not be available in the postseason.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• limit 
• period 
• time limit