deadline
/ˈdɛdlʌɪn
/noun
1The latest time or date by which something should be completed: the deadline for submissions is Friday 5th February the deadline of 6pm passed without incident the December 6 deadline set by Washington...
- In other words, he had his own creative life to lead while we were working flat out to meet our deadlines, night after night.
- The deadline for submissions for the next issue is the end of September.
- As for those sick that want to attend, the deadline for submission of names is the end of January.
Synonyms
time limit, limit, finishing date, finishing time, target date, target time, cut-off point
2 historical A line drawn around a prison beyond which prisoners were liable to be shot.The prison guards, composed mostly of older men and boys, watched from sentry boxes perched atop the stockade and shot any prisoner who crossed a wooden railing, called the "deadline."
