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
The delay required the commission to move ahead with its budget to meet deadlines with a further degree of uncertainty. —
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026 The New York Jets are in position to control the 2027 draft after accumulating two additional first-rounders at November’s trade deadline, for cornerback Sauce Gardner (from Indianapolis) and defensive lineman Quinnen Williams (Dallas). —Jeff Howe, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026 Miami released Bradley Chubb earlier this offseason and traded Jaelan Phillips at last season’s trade deadline. —David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026 The Cuban government initially insisted that no deadline was offered and the talks were nothing but respectful. —Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deadline
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.
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026 The New York Jets are in position to control the 2027 draft after accumulating two additional first-rounders at November’s trade deadline, for cornerback Sauce Gardner (from Indianapolis) and defensive lineman Quinnen Williams (Dallas). —Jeff Howe, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026 Miami released Bradley Chubb earlier this offseason and traded Jaelan Phillips at last season’s trade deadline. —David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026 The Cuban government initially insisted that no deadline was offered and the talks were nothing but respectful. —Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deadline
Cite this Entry
“Deadline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/deadline. Accessed 27 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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