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

Campaigns set the per-signature price to motivate collectors, and the price tends to rise as the ballot deadline approaches.

From The Wall Street Journal

With even more parties anticipated to join the lawsuit before the April 19 deadline, EPA has a big fight on its hands and is almost guaranteed to hit the Supreme Court’s docket.

From Salon

That deadline has raised eyebrows among experts, in part because Washington is relying on the private sector's technological headway.

From Barron's

The new deadline to ward off escalation is Friday, when some 2,200 Marines are due to arrive in the region.

From The Wall Street Journal

Members of both parties are working to make progress ahead of a self-imposed weekend deadline, when the Senate is set to go on Easter recess.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• limit
• period
• time limit