: 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a theory that has passed its sell-by date [=an outdated theory]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
While shelf-stable items can last well beyond their sell-by date, their quality may start to decline after their use-by date.
—
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2025
The products have sell-by dates ranging from January to late March 2026, per the FDA.
—Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
Sold in 16-ounce plastic clamshell containers for $5.99 with sell-by dates 11/3/2025-11/4/2025 and UPC 639123940636.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
The affected product was packaged in clear plastic clamshell containers with the Kirkland Signature brand label with a pack date of Sept. 18, 2025, and a sell-by date of Sept. 22, 2025.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sell-by date
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Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2025
The products have sell-by dates ranging from January to late March 2026, per the FDA.
—Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
Sold in 16-ounce plastic clamshell containers for $5.99 with sell-by dates 11/3/2025-11/4/2025 and UPC 639123940636.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
The affected product was packaged in clear plastic clamshell containers with the Kirkland Signature brand label with a pack date of Sept. 18, 2025, and a sell-by date of Sept. 22, 2025.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 22 Sep. 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 8 Dec. 2025.
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