deadline

noun

dead·​line ˈded-ˌlīn How to pronounce deadline (audio)
1
: a line drawn within or around a prison that a prisoner passes at the risk of being shot
2
a
: a date or time before which something must be done
b
: the time after which copy is not accepted for a particular issue of a publication
see also:
on deadline

Examples of deadline in a Sentence

She worked on her composition right up until the deadline. We had to hurry to meet the deadline. The project was completed a week past its deadline. The deadline for submitting college applications is April 19th. They're working under a deadline.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Chelsea then imposed what turned out to be a false and ultimately quite pompous deadline. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Owners who owed money but did not receive final bills by the June 30 deadline include Bezos and Knight, according to the assessor’s list. — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 The measure needed support from two-thirds of both the Assembly and Senate to go beyond Monday’s deadline. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 There’s discord between the House of Representatives and the Senate on the deadline to vote on the extension, but the earliest that could happen is September 30 and the latest is December 11. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deadline

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deadline was in 1864

Phrases Containing deadline

Rhymes for deadline

See All Rhymes for deadline

Browse Nearby Words

deadlight
deadline
deadliness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deadline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadline. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

deadline

noun
dead·​line ˈded-ˌlīn How to pronounce deadline (audio)
: a date or time before which something must be done
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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