Deadline: meaning, definitions and examples

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deadline

 

[ ˈdɛd.laɪn ]

Context #1 | Noun

project management

A deadline is a specific time or date by which a task must be completed.

Synonyms

cut-off date, due date, time limit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
deadline

Typically used in professional or academic settings to indicate the latest time by which a task must be completed.

  • The deadline for the project submission is next Monday
  • Make sure to meet the deadline for your article
due date

Commonly used in education or finance to specify the exact date when work is expected to be completed or a payment should be made.

  • The due date for the homework assignment is tomorrow
  • Your credit card bill's due date is the 15th of each month
time limit

Usually refers to an allocated amount of time within which a task must be completed. Often used in contexts like exams, games, or tests.

  • You have a 30-minute time limit to complete this exam
  • There is a 10-minute time limit for this quiz
cut-off date

Often refers to deadlines for applications, registrations, or other formal events. Suggests that after this date, no more entries will be accepted.

  • The cut-off date for scholarship applications is August 1st
  • Please note that the cut-off date for early bird registrations is next Friday

Examples of usage

  • The deadline for this project is next Friday.
  • Please make sure to meet the deadline for submitting your report.
Context #2 | Noun

academic setting

A deadline is the latest time by which an assignment must be submitted.

Synonyms

closing date, due date, submission date.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
deadline

Used in most professional and academic settings to indicate the final time by which a task or project must be completed.

  • The deadline for the project is next Friday.
  • We need to submit the report by the deadline or face a penalty.
due date

Often used to refer to the specific day by which an assignment, payment, or obligation must be completed or fulfilled.

  • The due date for the homework assignment is next Monday.
  • Your credit card payment due date is the 25th of each month.
submission date

Specifically refers to the exact day when a document or work must be turned in, especially in formal or academic scenarios.

  • The submission date for the thesis is May 15th.
  • Please check the submission date on the application form.
closing date

Commonly used in applications, registrations, and opportunities to indicate the last date by which someone can apply or qualify for something.

  • The closing date for job applications is July 1st.
  • Make sure you submit your application before the closing date.

Examples of usage

  • The deadline for the essay is midnight tonight.
  • Students must adhere to the deadline set by the professor.
Context #3 | Noun

journalism

A deadline is the time by which an article must be submitted for publication.

Synonyms

closing time, press time, publication date.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
deadline

Commonly used in both academic and professional settings to refer to the final date or time by which a task or project must be completed.

  • The deadline for the project submission is next Monday.
  • Students must meet the deadline for their essays.
press time

Specific to the publishing and media industry, referring to the final moment when material must be ready for printing or broadcast.

  • Reporters are rushing to meet the press time.
  • Articles must be submitted before press time.
closing time

Typically used for businesses, institutions, or places such as restaurants, shops, and offices to indicate the time when they stop serving customers for the day.

  • The store's closing time is at 8 PM.
  • Please make your final purchases before closing time.
publication date

Used to indicate the scheduled date when a book, magazine, article, or other print or digital media will be publicly available.

  • The publication date for her new book is set for next month.
  • They announced the publication date of their upcoming research paper.

Examples of usage

  • The journalist worked feverishly to meet the deadline for the breaking news story.
  • The editor set a strict deadline for the investigative piece.

Translations

Translations of the word "deadline" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prazo final

🇮🇳 अंतिम तिथि

🇩🇪 Frist

🇮🇩 batas waktu

🇺🇦 кінцевий термін

🇵🇱 termin ostateczny

🇯🇵 締め切り (しめきり)

🇫🇷 date limite

🇪🇸 fecha límite

🇹🇷 son tarih

🇰🇷 마감일

🇸🇦 الموعد النهائي

🇨🇿 termín

🇸🇰 termín

🇨🇳 截止日期 (jiézhǐ rìqí)

🇸🇮 rok

🇮🇸 tímatakmörk

🇰🇿 соңғы мерзім

🇬🇪 დედლაინის

🇦🇿 son tarix

🇲🇽 fecha límite

Etymology

The word 'deadline' originated during the American Civil War in the 1860s. It was originally used to describe a line within a military prison beyond which prisoners would be shot. The term later evolved to refer to a time limit or boundary by which a task must be completed, especially in journalism and project management.

See also: dead, deadbeat, deaden, deadliness, deadlock, deadly, deadness, deadpan, undead.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #7,951 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.