perishable
PER-ish-uh-bul
/ˈper.ɪ.ʃə.bəl/
Likely to decay or go bad quickly.
In supply chains, it specifically refers to goods that require temperature control or rapid transport.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'perire', meaning 'to pass away' or 'to go through'. It suggests a journey that ends in disappearance or death.
Word relationships
- biodegradable: Biodegradable means it can break down naturally; perishable means it will spoil quickly if not preserved.
- non-perishable: Items like canned goods that have a long shelf life.
- durable: Items that last a long time without changing state.
Commonly confused with
- fragile: Fragile items break; perishable items rot.
Word family
- perish (verb): To die or be destroyed.
- perishability (noun): The state of being likely to spoil.
Collocations
- perishable goods
- highly perishable
- perishable food
Example sentences
- "The cargo consisted of highly perishable strawberries that needed to reach the market within forty-eight hours." Shipping instructions.
- "Retailers must manage their inventory of perishables carefully to minimize waste." Inventory management.
Memory hook
Think of a 'PERISH'ing 'ABLE' (able to die). Perishables are on a ticking clock.
When not to use
Don't use it for things that break easily (that's 'fragile'); use it for things that rot.
Fun facts
- Honey is one of the few natural foods that is truly non-perishable; edible honey was found in 3,000-year-old Egyptian tombs.
Related words
Explore more words
spoilage, shelf-stable, preservative, imperishable, preserve
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