shelf life

American  

noun

1. the term or period during which a stored commodity remains effective, useful, or suitable for consumption.

   Many medicines have a very short shelf life.

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shelf life British  

noun

1. the length of time a packaged food, chemical, etc, will last without deteriorating

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Etymology

Origin of shelf life

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

shelf life

Twinkies’ shelf life is considered a wonder of food science.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

Original topical programming that does not have a shelf life is challenging to sustain on a streaming service.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

“The giants of the marketplace have processed our food to death to extend shelf life and expand distribution,” he said in a 2006 interview.

From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026

"Custard apple is highly sensitive to heat, and even short exposure can reduce its shelf life," he says.

From BBC ● May 25, 2026

It hadn’t occurred to me that I could suddenly blink into nothingness like a crashed computer with not even two years used up on my shelf life.

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson