perishable

American  

[per-i-shuh-buhl] / ˈpɛr ɪ ʃə bəl /

adjective

1. subject to decay, ruin, or destruction.

   perishable fruits and vegetables.

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noun

1. Usually perishables. something perishable, especially food.

perishable British  

/ ˈpɛrɪʃəbəl /

adjective

1. liable to rot or wither

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noun

1. (often plural) a perishable article, esp food

Usage

What does perishable mean? Perishable is used to describe an item, usually food, that typically spoils within a relatively short amount of time, such as fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy products. Such items are often simply called perishables. (When used as a noun, the term is most commonly plural.)The term is often contrasted with nonperishables—food items that can be stored for a long time without spoiling, like dried grains, beans, and pasta. Perishable foods need to be specially stored (like in a refrigerator) or eaten relatively quickly. Nonperishables, on the other hand, are things that will last a long time without refrigeration or other special storage. Example: Let’s try to eat all the perishables before we go on vacation—we don’t want to come back to spoiled milk and rotting tomatoes.

Other Word Forms

• perishability noun
• perishableness noun
• perishably adverb
• unperishable adjective

Etymology

Origin of perishable

First recorded in 1605–15; perish + -able

Explanation

Something perishable is likely to die or decay. A perishable is also a type of food with a limited shelf life if it's not refrigerated. Since perishing is dying, anything perishable could die or is likely to die. Unfortunately, people are perishable and most things in the world are too. Nothing lasts forever. A perishable is also a type of food that will go bad quickly if you leave it out of the fridge. Milk is a perishable, and so are yogurt and ice cream. Whether you're talking about a perishable or something perishable, this word refers to something that just won't last.

Example Sentences

I gather my cleaning supplies in advance and fill a cooler with ice to hold anything perishable while I work through the fridge and freezer.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

Last year, it began making same-day deliveries of perishable goods — a service it plans to expand this year, escalating the threat to delivery apps and other retailers.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 27, 2026

Fox also confirmed that perishable food due to be used at the Boxing Day Test will be donated to a local charity.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2025

The flight disruptions are also upending essential cargo such as pharmaceutical products and perishable goods, as well as aircraft parts that Venezuelan carriers need to maintain their fleets, said Cerdá.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

But the Pullman strike halted all train traffic through Chicago, and the perishable foods rotted in their traincars.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson