nonperishable
Americanadjective
noun
Usage
What does nonperishable mean? Nonperishable is used to describe an item, usually food, that can be stored for a long time without spoiling. Such items are often simply called nonperishables. Perish is a verb that means to die, but perishable is an adjective used to describe something that decays or spoils quickly, especially food. Perishable can also be a noun—perishables are items, usually food, that need to be specially stored (like in a refrigerator) to make them last a while without spoiling, like meat and dairy products. Nonperishables, on the other hand, are things that will last a long time, like dried grains or canned foods. Example: My school is collecting nonperishable items for our food drive.
Etymology
Origin of nonperishable
First recorded in 1920–25; non- + perishable
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His offense: selling nonperishable food on a Sunday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
Priced at less than 20 cents per box, Kraft’s newfound, nonperishable product was revered as an affordable option for Americans looking to feed their families.
From Salon ● Mar. 30, 2024
The newer ones had brought, from land, the resources handed to them by relief agencies that had visited after the flood: nonperishable foodstuffs, writing materials, books, medicine, first-aid kits.
From Slate ● Dec. 16, 2023
Additionally, it’s asking for tents, sleeping bags and nonperishable snacks such as jerky, trail mix and crackers.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 5, 2023
Lacey’s on liquids; Ben’s on nonperishable supplies; I’m on food.
From "Paper Towns" by John Green
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
