perishable

adjective

per·​ish·​able ˈper-i-shə-bəl 

ˈpe-ri-

: liable to perish : liable to spoil or decay

such perishable products as fruit, vegetables, butter, and eggs

perishability

ˌper-i-shə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌpe-ri-

noun

perishable noun

Examples of perishable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The majority of the store’s freezers are stocked with perishable foods, such as habanero peppers from Nigeria packaged in one-quart Ziploc freezer bags and sold for $5 per pack, as well as meats and vegetables shipped transatlantically from various regions across the African diaspora. —Sughnen Yongo, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025

One example Schenck points to is the ability to track perishable goods in real-time, enabling proactive interventions when potential issues arise. —Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025

Unlike a walk-in refrigerator filled with perishable food, the bar is stocked with inventory that doesn’t go bad. —Kim Severson, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025

Labor shortages would create supply-chain bottlenecks, reducing the supply of fresh and perishable meat products. —Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

perishable

adjective

per·​ish·​able ˈper-ish-ə-bəl 

: likely to spoil or decay

perishable fruit

perishable noun