: 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a theory that has passed its sell-by date [=an outdated theory]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
The affected meal kits have sell-by dates between March 5 and March 16.
—
Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Mar. 2026
Most of the food had passed its sell-by date, but no one cared.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Kits without these sell-by dates are not affected.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Chapman explains that the expiration date is really the sell-by date—or, the date in which the eggs should leave the grocery store shelf before quality starts to decline.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sell-by date
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Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Mar. 2026
Most of the food had passed its sell-by date, but no one cared.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Kits without these sell-by dates are not affected.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Chapman explains that the expiration date is really the sell-by date—or, the date in which the eggs should leave the grocery store shelf before quality starts to decline.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 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 2 Apr. 2026.
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