deadline

noun

dead·​line ˈded-ˌlīn 

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

Phrases

on deadline or under deadline

: with the requirement of meeting a deadline

working 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

After trading away two first-round picks and multiple prospects to reinforce this group at the deadline, giving them every opportunity to finally deliver? —James Mirtle, New York Times, 15 May 2025

While the deadline for deferring original gains is December 31, 2026, the long-term upside of tax-free appreciation remains compelling. —Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

This is also the deadline to opt out of the payment, which would allow the customer to keep their right to bring any other claim against Apple arising out of, or related to, the claims in the case. —Rebecca Schneid, Time, 14 May 2025

The bill passed Tuesday extends the deadline until 2029. —Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for deadline

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• byline
• canine

Kids Definition

deadline

noun

dead·​line ˈded-ˌlīn 

: a date or time before which something must be done