deadline
DED-line
/ˈdɛdlaɪn/
The latest time or date by which something must be completed.
Implies a strict, often non-negotiable, time limit for completion, crucial for project management and timely delivery.
The story behind the word. The origin of 'deadline' is surprisingly grim! It first appeared in American Civil War prisons, specifically Andersonville, Georgia, in the 1860s. It referred to a literal line drawn around the prison camp, about 20 feet inside the stockade. Any prisoner who crossed this 'dead line' would be shot by the guards. By the early 20th century, the term had metaphorically shifted to journalism, meaning a fixed time by which copy must be submitted, implying that missing it would have severe, 'deadly' consequences for the story's publication.
Word relationships
- due date: Often used for payments or academic assignments, can be slightly less urgent than 'deadline'.
- cutoff date: The final date for something to be accepted or processed.
- time limit: A general term for a restriction on the amount of time allowed.
- open-ended: Without a fixed limit or end.
- flexible schedule: A work schedule that allows for variations in start and end times.
Commonly confused with
- target date: A 'target date' is an aspirational goal for completion, whereas a 'deadline' is a firm, mandatory date.
Collocations
- meet a deadline
- miss a deadline
- tight deadline
- set a deadline
- submission deadline
Example sentences
- "The editor reminded the freelance writer that the deadline for the article submission was Friday at 5 PM." In a professional setting.
- "Missing the project deadline could result in significant financial penalties for the company." Referring to project management.
- "Working under a tight deadline often brings out the best, or worst, in people." A common challenge.
Memory hook
Imagine a literal 'dead line' you cannot cross, or your project is 'dead'. Cross and die
When not to use
Do not use 'deadline' for a flexible target date or a general time frame.
Fun facts
- The earliest known journalistic use of 'deadline' was in 1917.
Related words
Explore more words
against the clock, beat the clock, at the eleventh hour, in the nick of time, mandatory, procrastinate
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