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:
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
Use direct words and set clear boundaries, especially if other people keep changing their demands or shifting deadlines.
—
Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Expiring contracts are more sought after by teams leading into the trade deadline when executives are figuring out whether to clear cap space for the following summer.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
On Monday, the deadline, Immigration and Customs Enforcement granted her permission to reenter.
—Mathew Miranda
updated March 31, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Olsson and Garden set a deadline in the summer for a point at which Olsson wouldn’t take any more calls, providing the time and space to make her decision without noise.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deadline
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Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Expiring contracts are more sought after by teams leading into the trade deadline when executives are figuring out whether to clear cap space for the following summer.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
On Monday, the deadline, Immigration and Customs Enforcement granted her permission to reenter.
—Mathew Miranda
updated March 31, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Olsson and Garden set a deadline in the summer for a point at which Olsson wouldn’t take any more calls, providing the time and space to make her decision without noise.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deadline
Cite this Entry
“Deadline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadline. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deadline
noun
dead·line
ˈded-ˌlīn 
: a date or time before which something must be done
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