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
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
Here are a few examples of passive-aggressive behavior at work:
A coworker agrees to help with a project but intentionally misses deadlines.
—
Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
The goal is likely to have a new map in place by the November filing deadline so that the new districts will be in place for midterm elections in 2026.
—Rachel Royster
july 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2025
Chinese shares advanced after the government reported that exports rose last month as a truce in a tariffs war prompted a surge in orders ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline for reaching a new trade deal with Washington.
—Matt Ott, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
Tuesday is the deadline for NFL teams to sign a player who had the franchise tag placed on them earlier this year.
—Pete Grathoff
july 14, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadline
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Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
The goal is likely to have a new map in place by the November filing deadline so that the new districts will be in place for midterm elections in 2026.
—Rachel Royster
july 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2025
Chinese shares advanced after the government reported that exports rose last month as a truce in a tariffs war prompted a surge in orders ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline for reaching a new trade deal with Washington.
—Matt Ott, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
Tuesday is the deadline for NFL teams to sign a player who had the franchise tag placed on them earlier this year.
—Pete Grathoff
july 14, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadline
Cite this Entry
“Deadline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadline. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deadline
noun
dead·line
ˈded-ˌlīn 
: a date or time before which something must be done
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