shelf life

Thân thiện

This milk's shelf life expires in two days.

Definition

Noun: The length of time for which a packaged item, especially food, drink, or a drug, remains usable, fit for consumption, or effective when stored under specified conditions.

Usage

This term is used to indicate the period during which a product retains its desired quality, safety, and potency. It is a critical concept in manufacturing, retail, and consumer safety. The phrase is typically used with a possessive or preceded by a determiner (e.g., "its shelf life," "a long shelf life").

Examples

• Noun:
  • Milk has a relatively short shelf life compared to canned goods.
  • The manufacturer guarantees a shelf life of two years for this medication.
  • Advances in packaging can significantly extend a product's shelf life.

Advanced Usage

• Metaphorical Use: The term is often used metaphorically to describe the period during which non-physical things, such as ideas, trends, or careers, remain relevant, popular, or viable.
  • In the fast-paced world of technology, the shelf life of a new smartphone model is often less than a year.
  • Political slogans have a very short shelf life.

Variants and Related Words

• Expiration date / Use-by date (n): The specific date marked on a product after which it should not be used.
• Best before date (n): A date indicating when a product may begin to lose its optimal quality, though it might still be safe to consume for some time after.
• Stability (n): The ability of a substance to remain unchanged over time, which directly influences its shelf life.

Synonyms

• Longevity (when referring to duration of usability)
• Duration of usability
• Storage life

Related Phrases

• To have a shelf life of X: To be usable for a specified period.
  • This battery has a shelf life of ten years.
• To extend/prolong shelf life: To use methods (like preservatives or packaging) to make a product last longer.
  • Vacuum sealing helps extend the shelf life of coffee beans.
• Shelf-life testing (n): The process of determining how long a product can be stored before it deteriorates.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the length of time a packaged food or drug will last without deteriorating