: 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a theory that has passed its sell-by date [=an outdated theory]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 eggs that went to Walmart stores had sell-by dates from March 4 through June 19.
—
Mcclatchy Staff, Idaho Statesman, 9 June 2025
Some of the eggs were distributed between February 3, 2025 and May 15, 2025 and had sell-by dates of March 4, 2025 through June 4, 2025.
—Amber Brenza, Health, 8 June 2025
The affected eggs were distributed to Walmart locations in nine states — California, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Indiana and Illinois — between Feb. 3 and May 6 and featured sell-by dates ranging from March 4 to June 19, the FDA said.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 7 June 2025
The wraps were sold under the brand names Big Y Quick Easy Meals and Market 32 by Price Chopper.
(iStock)
Both items come in a 10-ounce clear plastic clamshell package with a sell-by date of May 7 and the lot code of 25122.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sell-by date
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Mcclatchy Staff, Idaho Statesman, 9 June 2025
Some of the eggs were distributed between February 3, 2025 and May 15, 2025 and had sell-by dates of March 4, 2025 through June 4, 2025.
—Amber Brenza, Health, 8 June 2025
The affected eggs were distributed to Walmart locations in nine states — California, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Indiana and Illinois — between Feb. 3 and May 6 and featured sell-by dates ranging from March 4 to June 19, the FDA said.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 7 June 2025
The wraps were sold under the brand names Big Y Quick Easy Meals and Market 32 by Price Chopper.
(iStock)
Both items come in a 10-ounce clear plastic clamshell package with a sell-by date of May 7 and the lot code of 25122.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 16 May 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 2 Jul. 2025.
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