n.
Pronunciation: - ˌ l ī n
Function: noun
Date: 1864
1 : a line drawn within or around a prison that a prisoner passes at the risk of being shot
2 a : a date or time before which something must be done b : the time after which copy is not accepted for a particular issue of a publication
– on deadline or under deadline : with the requirement of meeting a deadline <working on deadline >