deadline

American  

[ded-lahyn] / ˈdɛdˌlaɪn /

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.

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deadline British  

/ ˈdɛdˌlaɪn /

noun

1. a time limit for any activity

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Other Word Forms

• postdeadline adjective

Etymology

Origin of deadline

First recorded in 1855–60; dead + line ¹

Example Sentences

After missing multiple self-imposed deadlines, Musk in 2024 targeted this year’s so-called transfer window between the planets for the company to send five unmanned ships ahead of launching human crews in 2028.

From The Wall Street Journal

I do luxuriate in awaking to no news deadlines, playing pickleball when court fees are low and cycling to the beach on a weekday morning.

From The Wall Street Journal

Raman’s entry into the race, hours before the filing deadline, shocked the city’s political elite and infuriated the mayor’s supporters.

From Los Angeles Times

Propping up breakneck delivery speeds are gig workers scrambling to hit deadlines.

From BBC

A federal judge intervened at the last minute, pushing the deadline indefinitely.

From Salon

Related Words

• limit
• period
• time limit