sell-by date

noun

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Definition of sell-by date

: 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a theory that has passed its sell-by date [=an outdated theory]

See sell-by date defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of sell-by date from the Web

The broccoli has a sell-by date of March 15, 2020 and a UPC code of 68826700926.

— lindsey murray, Good Housekeeping, "Frozen Broccoli Sold at Shop & Stop, Giant, and More Recalled Due to Listeria Risk," 24 May 2018
Community's enthusiastic fanbase kept it afloat for years beyond its sell-by date, firing its showrunner then rehiring him after an especially rancid fourth season.

— tom philip, GQ, "Just Let Great TV Shows Die With Dignity," 17 May 2018
The products carry a sell-by date of April 9, 2018 and a USDA mark with the number EST.

— mike snider, USA TODAY, "Kroger ground beef among 35,000 pounds recalled for potential plastic bits," 3 May 2018
The lot code and sell-by date can be found on a sticker on the side of the package.

— lindsey lanquist, SELF, "Trader Joe’s Just Recalled Its Chocolate Chip Cookies in 12 States," 20 Mar. 2018
For consumers who still have a bag squirreled away in cabinets or freezers, Bob's Red Mill has recalled 22-ounce bags of Amaranth Flour with an expired sell-by date of Nov. 26, 2015.

— debbi snook, cleveland.com, "Bob's Red Mill recalls expired Amaranth flour for possible contamination (photo, product codes)," 9 Apr. 2018
But as with many of our deals, the sell-by date is two days, max.

— bridget hallinan, Condé Nast Traveler, "Flight Deal: U.S. to Hong Kong from $550 Round-Trip," 6 Feb. 2018
The items have sell-by dates through Oct. 24 and are packaged in clear plastic trays and cups of various sizes.

— zlati meyer, USA TODAY, "Meijer, Whole Foods, others recall packaged vegetables on listeria concerns," 23 Oct. 2017
Miss Havisham from Great Expectations This boss patroness takes her single self to the extreme by ignoring not just her own sell-by date: buy a few cakes and tea sandwiches to leave out for several weeks if not months to create this look.

— Vogue, "Single This Halloween? 11 Costumes Guaranteed to Make You Stand Out From the Crowd," 20 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sell-by date.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of sell-by date

1971

in the meaning defined above

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sell-by date

Definition of sell-by date

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sell-by date

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