: 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a theory that has passed its sell-by date [=an outdated theory]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
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She’s being dangled out there as the carrot, but of course that has a sell-by date.
—
Damon Wise, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
My sell-by date has definitely expired.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
But what was once known as the Lieder recital — the German title for songs in a genre once dominated by Schubert, Schumann, Hugo Wolf and Richard Strauss — has approached its sell-by date.
—Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Meijer is recalling its 128-ounce Steam Distilled Water after reports of a floating black foreign substance, affecting jugs with a sell-by date of October 4, 2026 and specific lot and product codes.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 12 Jan. 2026
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Damon Wise, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
My sell-by date has definitely expired.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
But what was once known as the Lieder recital — the German title for songs in a genre once dominated by Schubert, Schumann, Hugo Wolf and Richard Strauss — has approached its sell-by date.
—Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Meijer is recalling its 128-ounce Steam Distilled Water after reports of a floating black foreign substance, affecting jugs with a sell-by date of October 4, 2026 and specific lot and product codes.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 12 Jan. 2026
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 31 Jan. 2026.
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