: a date printed on food packages showing the last day on which the food can be sold
—sometimes used figuratively
a theory that has passed its sell-by date [=an outdated theory]
Examples of sell-by date in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, refrigerated eggs can still be safe to eat for three to five weeks after the sell-by date, as long as they aren't spoiled.
—
Merve Ceylan, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
All of these shrimp have a sell-by date of 3/15/2027.
—Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
But outside of that lone swing, Gonzalez, a 2018 18th-round draft pick who was placed on waivers by the Chicago White Sox last season, seems to be reaching his sell-by date.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
Eggs with sell-by dates to June 19: Through May 6, eggs with those sell-by dates were distributed to Walmart locations in California, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Indiana, and Illinois.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 10 June 2025
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Merve Ceylan, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
All of these shrimp have a sell-by date of 3/15/2027.
—Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
But outside of that lone swing, Gonzalez, a 2018 18th-round draft pick who was placed on waivers by the Chicago White Sox last season, seems to be reaching his sell-by date.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
Eggs with sell-by dates to June 19: Through May 6, eggs with those sell-by dates were distributed to Walmart locations in California, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Indiana, and Illinois.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sell-by date
Cite this Entry
“Sell-by date.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sell-by%20date. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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