deadline
DEHD-lyn
Deadline (noun) means the latest date or time by which something must be finished. Example: “I need an extension because I will miss the deadline for this essay.”
noun
1
The latest date or time by which something must be finished.
"I need an extension because I will miss the deadline for this essay."
"The deadline for submitting tax returns is the end of January."
"She stayed up all night to meet the deadline."
verb
1
To take a vehicle or aircraft out of service because it is not fit to operate.
"Mechanics deadlined the truck when they found the brakes were worn out."
"The airline deadlined two aircraft until the engine faults were repaired."
"The plane was deadlined after the inspection found a fuel leak."
How to use deadline
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe cutoff date or time for getting something done.
Common pairings
meet a deadline
miss a deadline
tight deadline
deadline for submissions
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Word forms
- Plural
- deadlines
- Third person singular
- deadlines
- Past tense
- deadlined
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I need an extension because I will miss the _____ for this essay.
Etymology
Originally described a fixed boundary line — famously the line in American Civil War prison camps that guards would shoot prisoners for crossing. By the early 1900s the word had shifted to mean a time limit, first in publishing.
Class of 1900
deadline joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →
Synonyms
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Rhymes for deadline
See all rhymes for deadline →Frequently asked questions
What does “deadline” mean?
The word “deadline” means the latest date or time by which something must be finished. In plain terms, the cutoff date or time for getting something done.
How do you pronounce “deadline”?
“Deadline” is pronounced DEHD-lyn (/ˈdɛdˌlaɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “deadline” in a sentence?
Here is “deadline” used in a sentence: “The deadline for submitting tax returns is the end of January.”
What part of speech is “deadline”?
Depending on how it is used, “deadline” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “deadline” come from?
The word “deadline” dates back to around 1900.
Is “deadline” a common word?
“Deadline” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “deadline” have?
“Deadline” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the latest date or time by which something must be finished.
What is the difference between a deadline and a due date?
Both refer to when something must be completed, but a deadline stresses that it is the final, latest point by which the work must be finished. A due date is often used interchangeably but can sound softer, particularly in academic or billing contexts.
What are common collocations with the word deadline?
Deadline commonly pairs with verbs such as "meet a deadline," "miss a deadline," "set a deadline," "extend a deadline," and "beat the deadline." Adjectives like "tight," "strict," and "looming" also frequently precede it.
Does deadline have a meaning outside of scheduling?
Yes. As a verb in military and aviation contexts, to deadline a vehicle or aircraft means to take it out of service because it is not fit to operate. This usage is far less common than the everyday sense of a final time limit.
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