n.[C]

1. 截止期限，最后限期
   Can they finish this before the deadline?

   他们能不能在最后期限之前完成这项工作？

   The deadline for making an application is next Friday.

   申请于下星期五截止。

2. （报纸等的）截稿时间
   The reporter's deadline was 8 P.M. for the morning edition.

   记者给上午版发稿的截止时间是（前一天的）下午八点。

3. （监狱周围的）死线
4. 不可逾越的界线

n.

1. the latest time or date by which something should be completed.
2. historical a line drawn around a prison beyond which prisoners were liable to be shot.